Chapter 4: A Simpler Path!
"Okay, so we've cleared that up. I think that's enough information for me for now! I'll find out the rest over time. About my return. Tell me about the Plot Emperor now!"
Whenever a topic like that came up, about a madman, the local idiot would immediately speak up.
"The guy makes absolutely no sense! He shows up somewhere without a pattern, attacks whoever he finds, scares people with magic tricks before talking about a campaign of revenge and then he leaves again!"
"I mean… that's a pretty rough description, but somehow it's true. We really don't know much more about the Plot Emperor.", Zeraora added to Aurorus description.
Well… that was bad. Epsilon really couldn't work with so little information. Of course she knew a little more herself, but was that enough?
"And what about followers? Does he have any? Are there Pokemon that fight at his side?"
To Epsilon's great surprise, Elementareon shook her head at this question.
"No. At least I've never heard of anything like that. Nobody knows what the Plot Emperor wants, so why should anyone join him?"
"Good point in itself, but I don't think that everything makes sense when it comes to an enemy like that. Maybe there are Pokemon that know more and understand. But well, at least I now know that he has no open team members. Different from me back then."
"And how does this information help now? We know that he may not have any team partners... that's not very much, is it?", Kel questioned.
"No, it's not. But I can live with it. You'll be amazed, I promise! I swear to you, I won't let the Plot Emperor have a moment's peace!"
Again, some uncertain or even suspicious glances passed through the room. Epsilon noticed them too, but she didn't care. Because she knew what she could achieve.
"So, is there anything else anyone wants to say? If not, then we should end the meeting here."
No one said anything, they had all found out what they were supposed to find out.
"Good. Then we're done. Kel, I wanted to talk to you now! In private!"
This time, however, there was slight opposition. But not from Growlithe himself.
"But I want to show him his temporary home! And how is he supposed to find the way if we don't show him!"
"Aurora, you know that I know exactly where you live?"
Well, at least Epsilon hoped that it would be the same house as in her time, but she would not show this uncertainty. Now Polar also came to his mother's aid.
"Are you sure you want to chase Kel into our attic like that? I don't think there's any room for anything living there. At least not for something you want there, and I count Kel towards that group."
Aurora looked around uncertainly between her brother and her mother, but finally gave in.
"You're right. Alright, let's go and set up the room. Bring us Kel as soon as you're done, OK?"
"Of course."
Slowly, all the Pokemon left, all of them, apart from Epsilon and the Pokemon that still thought it was a transformed human.
"So then... you come from a forgotten future? In which you knew me? And you expect to get away with a story like that? The fact that you knew my name says nothing! There are more logical reasons for you to know it than time travel!"
"And are you saying that out of conviction, or out of fear that the rest of what I said is just as true?"
The silence that followed in response already revealed everything Epsilon needed to know.
"Just tell me what else you know!"
This moment was the first since her return to a new past in which she felt pity. This Growlithe had just landed in a strange world, plagued by a past that was always made up and now knowing that a demon was slumbering inside him.
"Listen to me, Kel, I... I know that everything is really difficult for you right now. Probably better than you think. I... was in a very dark place too. Times can be bad. But let me tell you one thing... you don't want to be a monster, do you?"
"Of course not! Who do you think I am?"
"Somebody who does not understand rhetorical questions. Let me tell you one thing: the demon in you can only awaken if you let hatred rule. I know what you think of yourself. The broken person, good for nothing and hated by everyone. The one who couldn't even live with the consequences of his own actions."
These words made Kel freeze.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. And neither should you. Because... two things. This probably sounds very strange but... don't believe everything you seem to know. There... is someone who had a role in placing you in this place. And this somebody wants you to remember yourself as a worse person than you actually are. And I promise you one thing, and not just because she's my daughter! You can trust Aurora. She has always been pure of heart. Give life a second chance, just like it gave you one. Try trusting. And you will see if it's really that bad."
"You... don't understand me. You are blind to the selfishness inside every being!"
"No. That's why I was once Plot Empress. I became a monster like you don't want to become! Because I thought I knew the truth. Besides... ultimately everyone is selfish, yes. What does Aurora want? She wants to feel happy. What brings her happiness? The happiness of others. It is a charitable egoism that drives some. Is it really bad that Pokemon want to do good for themselves by helping others?"
For a moment, Kel seemed too confused by this statement to even be able to respond.
"It is not up to me to judge on your behalf. But I see it as my duty to give you some advice. There are several paths ahead of you. You took one of them in the lost timeline. In it, you stuck to yourself, betrayed those who helped you and had to live with your own guilt, driven to remorse in despair, until ultimately the beast awakened. This world is not just a second chance for me, but also for you. You have the chance to choose a simpler path this time."
These words had definitely moved something in the Growlithe. However, Epsilon was not quite sure whether it was understanding or just utter confusion. It really was not easy to talk to someone about something that only you know about.
"This whole story... with the demon. The demon that is supposedly slumbering inside me. How... do you really think I can somehow prevent it from waking up? Especially when hate is contributing to it? You talk as if it could definitely be prevented, but... what if it isn't?"
"It can definitely be prevented. You just have to be willing to fight it. And against all the negative emotions that strengthen this being, positivity is the best weapon. So, give it a try at least. Leave your last life behind you, this is a new one. Kel the human no longer exists. And try to make something of your second chance. If something is bothering you, talk to someone, preferably your future teammates. I'm sure Aurora understands your thoughts better than you could ever imagine."
Now it was finally when Epsilon could clearly see that Kel was thoughtful.
"Well... I... well, you know what. I'll try. I doubt that I can do more than try, but maybe you're right and I'll be pleasantly surprised. It would be hard enough to be a negative surprise anyway, considering my expectations."
"I almost said that that's the right attitude. But it's definitely going in the right direction! So... there are a few more things I could say, but I think that would be a bit much for today."
Kel didn't need to know everything yet. He wouldn't believe that he had never been human.
"So, should I show you where you'll be living for now?"
"Okay. Take me there."
So Epsilon walked once again through the vastness of a home that had once been lost to her, this time accompanied by a former enemy. Times had truly changed. And yet the future was uncertain. The Plot Emperor of this world remained a great mystery, no one could give Epsilon relevant information. Epoliktzus, locked inside Kel, could soon become a problem too. First and foremost because of the Plot Armor. Epsilon had never been able to find out where the third piece was hidden. There were two pieces at the volcano and iceberg that she was just monitoring, the one in the league was the same in this world, she was sure of that because of how insane of a hiding place it was and what the author would want. But without piece four, it wouldn't matter... and it wasn't even certain whether it would at least be in the same unknown place as in the other time! They would have to search the entire world for it! But well... what was better? A difficult task, or one that had already failed?
The duo soon approached the house that Epsilon knew as her daughter's, hoping that this was also the case here. And loud cleaning as well as loud talking, which came from higher up, immediately confirmed this.
"And... the two of them aren't always so loud, are they?"
"Not that I know of. But I can well imagine that it's a real battle against this attic. Didn't sound as if they ever cleaned up there when they talked earlier."
As if it were an answer without context, a loud bang sounded immediately as an empty wooden frame landed on the floor near the Zoroark, flying straight out of the open attic window.
"We can dispose of the junk later! First we have to make room here before we think about where the crap is going!", Polar's voice echoed.
"No need to bombard visitors still!"
A short moment after this exclamation, the head of a Vulpix appeared briefly in the window frame.
"Sorry, that was Polar's idea! Just a second, I'll open the door for you!"
More noise sounded from the room until moments later the door opened.
"I thought you would need a little longer. We are... let's say not quite as advanced as we probably should be. But come on in anyway, there is still construction on the upper floor. Polar, are you managing on your own?"
The last sentence was louder, clearly directed upstairs.
"I can manage better on my own than if you help, thanks for asking!"
Ignoring the comment, Aurora entered the large living room again and sat down at the table. Epsilon followed her, and Kel, after some hesitation, did too.
"Well then... welcome to your new home, Kel. Even if you can't see your actual room yet. I hope you settle in well and... we're not that noisy otherwise, don't worry. And Polar and I don't argue seriously either. Hopefully we won't disturb you then."
Epsilon still felt his hesitation, mainly due to inner mistrust, but he tried to stick to the advice he was given.
"I mean... ultimately I'm a guest anyway."
"That doesn't mean you have to put up with everything we do!"
Kel agreed... but the former Plot Empress already knew that he would never actually complain, even if something came up. On the other hand, she was more than sure that no problems would arise anyway.
"Ah yes, one more thing... Mom, we..."
Aurora obviously didn't quite know how she wanted to say that she wanted.
"A lot of strange things have happened today. Kel appeared out of nowhere, you suddenly became the way you are now and... at the same time you seem to understand all of it. Because while cleaning up the attic, Polar and I found a strange object. I don't remember every piece of rubbish lying around there, but I would know if I had ever seen that thing. That's why I wanted to ask you if you have any idea what it could be. You know a lot about strange phenomena after all."
From under the table, Aurora pulled out a strange object. A golden, strange object. One that Epsilon had always been looking for! The Plotarmor's back plate!
