Vincent stood at the door of Rustboro Press' small building as his watch read ten minutes to three. His hands shook as he finally held onto the feeling of content that he was able to salvage shortly after the visit to the school. Curling both of his fists into a ball as he took a deep breath, he exhaled as he knocked on the door.

Taking a step back, he could feel the pressure of his blood rising as his chest began to tighten. His breathing helped him retain a grasp on his calmness, and that tightness eventually began to unravel as a woman wearing a slightly casual style of a gray pair of pants, a pink shirt, had her hair colored in a slight purple tint, and a pair of glasses, answered the door.

"Hey." He spoke in an outward demeanor. "My name is Vincent. Is Nathaniel around? I'm here to see him regarding some work?"

"Ah, Vincent! It's so nice to meet you!" The woman exclaimed, as she accepted a handshake from him, and gently pulled at his arm to signal him to come inside. "We've been expecting you!"

"Woah…" Vincent gasped, feeling the force of the tug coming form the woman. "Thanks." He said, finally stepping inside with the door closing behind him.

"Sorry about that…" She cackled. "I'm just really glad you're here! Oh, and nice sunglasses!"

"It's fine. And thank you!" Vincent responded as he removed his sunglasses and placed them on his collar after he loosened his jacket. "What's your name?" Vincent asked as he rubbed his arm with his hand.

"Elizabeth." She smiled in response. "My job is mainly involved in paperwork, a bit of analysis, and tech support. I rarely step out into the field myself, but I'm always here to help!"

"Oh, that sounds nice!" Vincent remarked.

"Now, you'll meet him later since he's out right now and won't be back for a long while, but Mark is our leader in fieldwork, but he's not the only man who works in the field. He's got a bit of an obsession with taking his work very seriously, but he's very understanding and won't push people too far, typically."

"Typically?"

"I think when he sees you, he'll push you…but he'll push you in the right direction."

"Right, right." Vincent crossed his arms and nodded once more.

"Welp." Elizabeth clapped her hands together, interlocked her fingers, and started to twiddle her thumbs. "Let me take you to see Nate now. He's just upstairs on the third floor in his office. Follow me!" She gestured as she began to walk to a pair of stairs.

With conversations seemingly grinding to a halt as the two began walking up the stairs, every step echoing and clacking as their footwear collided with the surface of each stair they hit. Just before reaching the third floor, Vincent eagerly broke the silence as Elizabeth stared back down at him.

"Does Nate allow people to do certain assignments if they want to? Or are they just assigned to you out of the blue?" He asked.

"It will depend, but there is some free reign if you show enough eagerness and energy for it." Elizabeth replied.

"I see." Vincent noted. "I do have an event in mind but…"

"Oh, this should be good!" Elizabeth cried. "If you want to get squared away, I can help you to some tech later. Though keep in mind that we need to take good care of our equipment while working."

"Absolutely!" Vincent agreed. "I'd imagine that comes out of the company's pocket."

"So…where'd you think about going?" Elizabeth paused in her walk as they reached a door.

"I heard about the Grand Festival being held in Slateport City and I was actually thinking about it on the way here…I'd definitely love to travel there and help cover it!"

"Oh, that's perfect!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Mark is actually in Slateport City getting things ready for the event's coverage. Just hold on." She turned towards the door and knocked. "Hey, Nate?"

"Hey, Liz! You got Vinny with you?" His muzzled voice faintly reached them from the other side.

"I'm here, sir!" Vincent shouted.

"Come in, come in!"

"After you." Elizabeth gestured as she opened the door.

"Thanks." Vincent replied as Elizabeth chuckled at his sternness, closing the door behind him.

Walking into the room, the office that was noticeably spacious, featuring a desk and computer that Nate himself sat at in a black colored office chair. With a bit of the company's certificates scattered across the walls, in addition to some Pokémon related trinkets placed on the desk, the side contained a small couch facing a television that was fastened on the wall.

"So good to meet you and line up the voice with your face!" Nathaniel happily sprung up as he shook Vincent's hand.

"It's great to meet you too! This is a really nice place you've got here. Just walking in here, the energy is just absolutely incredible."

"I like you already, Vince. And you know, Officer Jenny was right. You do really sound like you could have a knack for doing voiceover work here. But…" Nathaniel leaned over and wrapped his arm over Vincent's back and placed his palm on his shoulder as Vincent felt a small amount of force. "First take a seat. Relax a little bit. You look like you've had one heck of a day. We can talk and go over some things slowly."

"Alright, Nate." Vincent settled as he sat down at a chair in front of Nathaniel's desk.

"First, I just wanted to ask…how are you, Vincent?"

"Um…" Vincent struggled for a moment as he couldn't help but smile. "I'm doing really well! I'm honored that you want to bring me into your company. It's been…a while since I've had real work for some time."

"Well, when Jenny told me a great deal about you, and I heard you over the phone, I just knew I had to bring you aboard!" Nathaniel exclaimed. "We can go over some things here and there like payments and what not but…I heard from you and Liz not too long ago that you'd love to cover an event." He leaned in as his eyebrows formed a stern expression. "Can you tell me what makes you eager enough to go?"

"I've never been to the Grand Festival in person and I've got a little brother who is currently heading there to cheer on a friend competing in that event since she, like everyone else competing, got their five ribbons." Vincent replied, not showing an ounce of intimidation.

"Okay…alright." Nathaniel remarked as he leaned back and nodded with his arms crossed. "You see yourself working hard on the field or are you more a boxed in, work indoors, kind of person?"

"Honestly, I'd love to do a mix of both. Get out there, maybe film, photograph, and cover what I can, then on the downtime I come back inside to do whatever needs to be done."

"I like that…" Nathaniel commented. "Forgive me for being a broken record, but I think Jenny was right recommending you. But I should warn you that your first job will always be your hardest."

"If it's a challenge, then challenges are made to be overcome."

"THAT'S WHAT I LIKE TO HEAR!" Nathaniel smiled as he rapidly stood up.

"Sir if I-"

"Please, Vinny. We don't have to be so formal. You can just keep calling me Nate."

"Okay, Nate." Vincent stood up. "When can I take off to the Grand Festival to meet up with Mark?"

"I'll get back to you in a bit with that since I'd love it if your first job could be as memorable as possible." Nathaniel replied. "In the meantime, though, go check back with Liz on the second floor and she'll get you all settled in! You look like you could use the rest, and maybe something to eat."

"Thanks, Nate!"

"You're welcome! Oh, and Vince?"

Vincent turned back around just as he had his hand clutched onto the doorknob ready to exit the office and go back down to the first floor.

"Welcome aboard, my friend!"

It just seemed like a moment ago where excitement, nervousness, and passion surrounded him as Elizabeth took him around the office to explain a few things before he was to get started on his first assignment.

Now he was settled in his own small room that Vincent was allowed to stay in, alongside other employees since the branch allowed for them to take residence in feasible, hotel like rooms.

There wasn't much of a scenery to look at from outside the window, but everything Vincent had access to, and appreciated, were a warm bed, some eating utensils, a bathroom and shower, etc.

He took his time writing things down that night as he sat down on a small desk, slowly chewing on a now cooked pack of instant ramen that he'd picked up for himself after Elizabeth finished the tour, and relied on the reliable, albeit hazy, yet warm orange lighting that filled the entire room.

This Press branch is a bit more intricate than I thought. There's a ton of collaboration to make these things work like the Weather Institute located all the way in Fortree City, and these guys even have some friendly relations with the guys at TV Mauville.

Honestly, I expected there to be a ton of pushing and shoving people over as I'd expect any corporations or organizations to do but…not so much in this world, or from what I've seen so far. I hope they got my good side for my picture…

As far as these guys are concerned, I've got a job to do. Gotta get a grasp of events' behind the scenes action and how to cover it. Though I doubt any of them will understand, hell I barely get it…I have to find myself and I have to find Ash.

Closing his book and pushing it over to the side, he interlocked his two fingers onto his metal fork to pick up a small sum of noodles again, he stopped and became lost in thought for a moment as he tapped the bowl.

"Am I really going to keep obsessing over that kid…? No wait…I already have…" He exhaled, his fingers on his left hand projecting his anxiety with rapid taps, as he failed to pay attention to and account for the large portion he was swallowing.

Tapping on his chest with his palm as his fork clanged down on the desk, he swiftly reached over to a bottle of water as the relief came from the stuck food going down.

"Chew next time…" Vincent groaned to himself as he leaned his head on his head.

Ah…this is great. A nice warm bed, a new job…I'm living my life. Not an extraordinary life, but a life neverthele- wait a fucking second…

Oh no…oh no, no, no, not this shit again. I'm back home, my real home, I mean. Everything's still dark…come on, brain, why do you have to dream this shit up about my home? It's not like when I get back, I'm gonna find it destroyed for real because of COVID…am I?

Fuck it, let's just get this over with. So, where am I, exactly? There's nobody here but me. Oh, wait a minute. I know this park. It's twenty minutes away from my house. I usually come here for walks or just to think about a few things.

"Mudkip…"

"Hmm?"

I could've sworn-

No.

Come on, Vincent.

Get your mind together, man. That wasn't real…

"Mudkip!"

Argh…fine, fine. It's coming from the water, yet it's not there. Must be my imagination.

"Mudkip! Mudkip, Mudkip, Mudkip!"

"That's NOT my imagination! Alright, I'm fucking tired of-"

"Why, Vincent…?"

That's a…hang on, I just gotta gulp instinctively out of fear. Okay, there.

That is one angry sounding Pokémon. And it's coming from the water.

"Why, did you abandon me?!"

"Abandon…?"

Hang on a moment…I never was a real Pokemon Trainer. I always chose Mudkip on my Pokemon Emerald start up- ooooooooooooooooooooooh, shit.

"We were partners…I TRUSTED YOU! You deleted me and forgot about me! Forgot about every single one of us!"

"I…I grew up. I'm not that kid anymore. It's just a game…"

That's right…

This Pokémon Emerald cartridge I still have in my pocket? It's empty…I deleted all the data a long time ago. I guess I just let everything Pokémon related go.

"Okay, brain! You've had your fun! I'd LOVE to wake the fuck up now, please!"

Oh, I sound and look ridiculous. I'm screaming up into the void since there's really nothing in that sky.

"SWAMPERT!"

Oh crap, that's a Swamper-

No- ohhhhhhhhh, SHIT. He pulled me in the water! Ah, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK. GET ME OUT OF THIS GOD DAMN NIGHTMARE.

"ARGH!"

Gasping for breath as he placed a palm on his chest, Vincent shot himself up, noticing that the covers that he remembered pulling over him. He shivered as he desperately reached over to cover up his body again and gradually regain a sense of warmth.

Finding a moment to relax as he lay his head on his pillow, he heard a knock at the door that perked him right back up, causing him to shift over and lift himself up from under the covers, and rub his eyes as he stood up now awake and out of bed.

The knocks persisted as they grew louder with every second the door remained unanswered.

"I'm coming!" Vincent shouted, groaning and exhaling as he reached the doorknob and pulled it open.

"Mornin', Vinny."

"Oh, hey Nate…" Vincent huffed as he crossed his arms.

"I was about to come check on you. Um…you okay? I heard a few screams and whimpers coming from your room and-"

"Yeah, yeah I just had a…really weird dream. It wasn't too pleasant." Vincent sighed.

"Hm." Nathaniel leaned a hand on a wall. "It's alright. It happens from time to time to all of us."

"Yeah…right." Vincent chuckled. "What time is it?"

"It's eight in the morning right now." He replied as he checked his watch. "Everyone that's here is upstairs having some breakfast. Whenever you're ready, come on up and join us. After that, I want to talk to you in my office for a little bit. Got some things I want to show you."

"Alright." Vincent nodded, closing his door.

With the hour almost being up as the clock in Nathaniel's office was preparing itself to strike nine, him and Vincent sat in his office. Clearing his throat, Nathaniel reached under his desk and slid over a small envelope.

"What's this?" Vincent asked.

"Open it up." Nathaniel gestured.

Delicately grasping on the envelope, Vincent could feel something slightly solid within. It felt like it was the shape of some card. Ripping it open, he reached inside and was proven right as he pulled out what appeared to be, a newly instated, Press badge.

"Did Liz get your good side?"

"Wow this is…I feel like I'm one of you guys now. Thanks, Nate."

"Oh, don't thank me yet." Nathaniel smirked. "There's still a few things inside."

Within the envelope, a ticket slid out and into Vincent's hands. Pinching it within his two fingers as he closely examined it, he read the words S.S. St. Flower engraved on it. Alongside the ticket's engraved disclaimer of it being a one-time use, it showed the departure and arrival time.

"You'll be riding in style all the way to Slateport City's Grand Festival. I promised to make your first job a memorable one. Just get there later this afternoon on time and you'll be off!"

"This is…thank you!" Vincent exclaimed.

"My pleasure! Though keep in mind, while you're enjoying the luxury experience, I want you to…start writing up and preparing a few things. Write up on the ship's experience itself, what it is they have to offer, you know? That kind of stuff. And maybe get a few interviews with some of the coordinators on board, if you can."

"I can manage." Vincent nodded.

"Good! But don't forget to have fun, though. I know you're a very serious, analytical, and dedicated person, but again, don't forget to enjoy yourself. Got it?"

"Loud and clear, Nate!"

"Good!" Nathaniel smiled. "I know it's still a little early, but I'd definitely recommend getting a few things ready. Pack your bags, get some gear from Liz together, and you should be golden! But if you need to get out and go get a few things if need be, then that's fine too!"

"On it, boss!" Vincent exclaimed, rising from his chair.

"Oh, and Vincent?"

"Yeah?" He turned back before rushing towards the door.

"Stop by the Rustboro Gym later. Roxanne gave me a holler earlier and asked if you'd go see her ASAP."

"Alright! Thanks for the heads up! I'll go see her right now!"

Roxanne sat up on the bleachers that gave her a spacious view of her Gym's entire battlefield. In her hands, he had two CDs sealed neatly inside their cases. One read, Roxanne VS Ash Ketchum while the other read Roxanne VS Vincent.

Looking down at the two CDs, with her eyes focusing on the one with the name 'Vincent' marked on it, she thought of the man that she was expecting to enter at any moment.

"Could they really be brothers…?"

"ROXANNE!" Vincent's voice echoed.

"I'm up here!"

"Oh, there you are! I'm here!" Vincent's footsteps echoed with each step he trudged up the bleacher's steps. "What do you need?"

"I wanted to give these to you if you needed to review them." She replied, presenting the CDs in her hands.

"What are these?"

"For the Pokémon Trainer's School next door, I typically get permission from trainers who challenge me to a battle, if we can record the battle's themselves for my students to study." Roxanne explained. "And I figured you might need them…you weren't there for your brother's or his friend, so I made you copies."

"So, I gotta ask…was Vincent with Ash when him and his friends came to challenge you?" Vincent inquired.

"Actually, your brother was here way before Ash came to Rustboro City to challenge me." Roxanne explained. "Both of their respective battles ended in them walking away with a Stone Badge."

"I bet." Vincent remarked. "Can't say I know everything one hundred percent about their capabilities, but I can only imagine until I finally catch up with them."

"I'm sure you will all cross paths eventually! Good luck at your first assignment! Nate told me that you were heading off to Slateport City."

"Yeah! The Grand Festival…admittedly," Vincent leaned in as he whispered. "Don't tell Nate this, but I'm admittedly over my head with this one, but I feel ready to take this thing on, even if things won't go perfectly."

"No journey worth taking is ever easy." Roxanne stated.

"You got that right." Vincent nodded. "I think I'll be saving these CDs for the ship. I'll watch them on my laptop later! Thanks for giving them to me! Listen, I better get going. Maybe I'll see you again, soon?" He asked, holding out a hand.

"Looking forward to it!" Roxanne smiled, shaking his hand. "Stay safe out there!"

The S.S St. Flower thus far was no pushover. The place was huge, and Vincent could only imagine the astronomical amount of work, ingenuity, and money, went into building this ship. But before he could go in detail about the ship and its size, he needed to reach his cabin first.

The cabin he'd been assigned by those that stamped him in with his ticket was cabin 211. With a backpack on strapped on, in addition to an additional suitcase that he brought with him that he wheeled along, he took a walk down the hallways, making use of the ship's pamphlet given to him at the docks, easily locating the cabins.

He remarked at how he still had his sunglasses on despite having no need for them in a lit-up ship without any sunlight peering through the hallways, however, Vincent forgave that fact for the moment since his hands were full.

Forgiveness, then turned into gratefulness as when he was walking, five familiar faces were walking right past him. As though time itself was slowing down to a crawl, Vincent felt his heart tremble as he recognized the facial features and clothing.

"Fuck…" He cursed under his breath.

Ash Ketchum with Pikachu on his shoulder, Brock, May, Max and…his younger self. Vincent felt relieved as he sighed and was grateful that they didn't seem alarmed by his presence. However, that all changed as he turned the corner and overheard distinct chatter coming from the group.

Vincent stopped in his tracks and leaned up against the wall, adjusting his grip that he had on his bags as he listened to the voice of Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu.

"Pika…?"

"What, you hear something Pikachu?"

"Pika, Pi."

"Must've been nothing, huh? Alright."