Chapter 1: A Great Risk!

"So you were on the move for three days and three nights? Without a break, without food, without water?"

My counterpart just nodded.

"It really is a great pilgrimage. Especially since you are doing it now. Are you really still this regretful?"

An answer to this question was not necessary, a single look was enough.

"You will never completely put it behind you, right? You know that everyone has forgiven you by now. You have done a lot of penance and given everything for four long years to ensure that the new era is one of happiness. But you will never be able to forgive yourself, right? Because what has happened will never be undone... isn't that right, Epsilon?"

"Exactly. Thousands have lost their lives and many more have suffered because I made mistakes and was too stubborn to end a lost war! I sent my own daughter to her death and never believed I was in the wrong!"
"Nevertheless, I think you don't give yourself enough credit. You know, you really surprised me back then. I had already left this world to its fate, just wanted to take a quick look at the end and then I saw all the Pokemon with you leading. And from the small glimmer of hope that I gave you, you managed to defeat Epoliktzus!"

"I didn't achieve anything back then! Zeraora gave me the Feathersword, the power of which brought Aurora back and she brought Kel back to the point where he defeated Epoliktzus himself."

Many things had already happened whose meaning cannot be made clear to the eye. One of them was the attempt to convince Epsilon of herself.

"Well, let's change the subject. I know you originally wanted to visit me for your pilgrimage, but… actually, I'm very happy that you're here. Tell me, Epsilon, if you had the chance, would you change your past?"

"What's the point of that question? Of course I would! But it's impossible! Even the author can't just reset a timeline! That would create a distortion that would destroy the world, I know that."

"You're right about that. And the reason for this is that as an author I would have to write a new story with the knowledge of the old foundation, so that a future would already be set that never happens. A strange paradox. That's why such a reset would only work if I myself lost my memories of it."

Epsilon really made no secret of the fact that she felt like she was being made fun of.

"Oh, that's great, then tell me how it works and I'll do it."
"That's what I want to do."

The Zoroark opposite me looked up in confusion.

"I'm serious. I've already said it. Ultimately, I'm jus human being. There are forces that are above me. Fate, for example. And fate found a way of emergency exit. In the most hidden depths, a place more secret than this, after years of searching I finally found the Hero's Hourglass. I sent a Pokemon to make the journey and bring it to me."

My shadow figure now held a magnificent, golden hourglass in his hand.

"This allows its user to reset a timeline to a certain major event once. In our case, it would be the day of Kel's appearance. But no one will remember everything that the timeline once offered. Not even me. No one. Except the being who uses the hourglass."
"Wait! Are you implying..."

"Yes, Epsilon. I want to entrust you with this hourglass. And if you want to use it, you have to make three scratches on the top and two on the bottom, then turn it over and as soon as the sand flows down, smash it! If the ritual goes wrong, it won't break and you can just try again."

It was still clear that Epsilon was suspicious.

"And what's the catch?"

I took a quick breath.

"There are two catches. On the one hand, this timeline will be completely discarded. Not just the bad things, but all the good things too. Your daughter and her husband will lose everything they have worked for. They can rebuild it, but it can also go wrong. It's a great risk. And on the other hand... if you use the hourglass, you will wake up in a world that is foreign to you. Because even if you don't find yourself again until the day of the meeting, your past self also knew what their actions once caused and remembered it from the day of their birth. For example, I think it's very possible that you won't awaken as a Plot Empress. But you'll only know what exactly it is by experiencing it yourself."
"And that would mean I could reverse the outbreak of the Epoliktzus?"
"Yes. You could create a world that is at peace from the start or pursue your goals again. But I must warn you: If you don't awaken as a Plot Empress, there will still be an Emperor or Empress. Because I won't remember, but I will need a test for freedom. You will awaken in a war, no matter what happens. But a different war than this one."

My power as an author was not needed for me to realize how much Epsilon was wavering. She was thinking primarily of her daughter. The two had grown close since the end of the war, mostly because Epsilon saved Kel, who was completely willing to sacrifice himself to end the demon. The same Kel that Aurora would marry about a year later.

"Author..."
"Call me Jason."
"Jason..., if I accept the hourglass, am I forced to use it?"
"No. You can use it whenever you want. But don't forget: It will only work once. You can also just never use it if you decide to do so. Although you must of course remember that someone else could find it and use it if you don't hide it well."
"Then give me the hourglass. I have to talk to someone before I decide..."

Loud knocking filled the small house in Kira Town, far from the Mind of the World.

"I'm coming!"

The call was directed less at the Pokemon that would be waiting outside the door than at the Arcanine's partner, who thus didn't have to make the effort to go to the door. Nevertheless, she slowly came running behind Kel to see who was visiting them. Especially at the late hour that had now arrived. Well, it became a little clearer when the lion opened the door and found Aurora's mother there, the only Pokemon that could knock at such an hour without hesitation.

"Hello, Epsilon! So you're finally back from your travels!"
"That I am. Can I come in. I... have to talk to you about something important..."
"Sure, come in!"

A few minutes later, the three Pokemon were sitting together around the dining table of the two paused team leaders of Polarna vatra. Although both were still registered, the team was currently taking a break after the league reopened. The reason for this break was the main reason for Epsilon's hesitation. On a small table, as well padded as the two partners could manage, right next to a framed photo of their wedding, inconspicuously placed but an eye-catcher if you saw it. There was the blue and orange Pokemon egg of the team leaders, which Aurora had a few months ago. It wouldn't be very long until it hatched.

"So, what did you want from us?"

To buy herself some time to prepare her words, Epsilon took a long sip of the tea Aurora had given her when the Zoroark had stepped in from the cold night.

"So... if there was a way to undo everything. To reset this entire world to the day Kel came here. And if you were there, you wouldn't know anything about it. And everything would be different. No one would know what the future would be like. But all those who fell under Epoliktzus would have a new chance. Would you do it?"

Aurora and Kel were both quite confused by this question, interpreting it more philosophically than literally. Aurora answered first.

"Well... I think so. We would lose a lot..."

Her gaze fell on the egg.

"But at the same time we could give back thousands of lives and it doesn't mean that things would be worse for us. Besides, if we don't remember we wouldn't miss this world."
"I mean, you're not wrong but... if I had the choice I wouldn't. The risk is too great. And... I couldn't risk losing the future that lies ahead of us. What if we couldn't find each other again, Aurora?"
"Do you really think so?"

Although the Vulnona's voice had a hint of understanding in it, the indignation was greater.

"Do you think so little of what we have? We could forget each other 50 times, we would find each other again every time!"

Somewhat embarrassed, the Arcanine turned back to Epsilon.

"That's true, if we have the necessary time together in these timelines. But well, Epsilon, of course you've thought a lot, but were you really interested in such philosophical questions in this conversation? Because in that case I'd like to postpone it until tomorrow. It's late."

Epsilon took another meaningful sip.

"My question wasn't rhetorical. Aurora, Kel. I visited the author. And he entrusted me with something special. An object that is superior to himself. An hourglass... that can do exactly what I just said."
"Are you serious? But why would he give that to you now?"

Aurora's voice hid some anger behind the confusion.

"I don't know. I don't know why he acts the way he does. But he did. And now I have a big decision to make. That affects every single Pokemon. Do I use the hourglass or not?"

The two league fighters looked at each other worriedly for a moment, then Kel turned back to the former Plot Empress.

"So... are you really considering undoing everything that happened to Epoliktzus?"
"I'm considering it, yes. It... would be the only chance for me to truly correct my mistakes. Above all... well... if I use the hourglass, I will keep my memories. But no one else. Not you, not the league, not even the author. I would have the chance to go to war with all the knowledge I need. And this time not as the Plot Empress."

"If you wouldn't be the Plot Empress, why would there be a war at all?", the Arcanine asked.
"The Author would need a test. If I'm not the Plot Empress, he'll look for someone else. But with all the knowledge about this world, I'm sure I could defeat him or her!"

There was a brief silence. Now that she knew the seriousness of the situation, Aurora seemed much less certain about her previous statement.

"Our child will hatch soon. And... I'm so looking forward to becoming a mother."
"That's why I'm here. I can't ask everyone, the reasons are clear, but I won't make this decision alone. Not after everything I've already done wrong. Be honest with me, I honestly don't care much. If you want to live this future, then no one will stop you. I'm not forced to ever use this tool."

Silence fell after Epsilon had spoken these words. Aurora and Kel just looked at each other thoughtfully while Epsilon waited for an answer. After a moment, Kel turned to her, his expression angry.

"Why do you have to put us on the spot like this? Why do we have to decide for you? Don't you know the situation you are putting us in? You are telling us to sacrifice all that died by Epoliktzus' hands or our child!"
"It's not her fault! Even if I understand your worries. It... is dangerous. And yet..."

Without waiting any longer, Kel stood up, looking at the table.

"Do it!"

He didn't stay a second longer, but climbed the stairs and let the door slam shut behind him. Aurora looked after him sadly for a moment.

"Well... I think he's right. We... are just two Pokemon. What you could do is much more. And... I trust us! I trust that we can come together in the next life and achieve anything we want to! Epsilon... you should use the hourglass. I... will go to Kel."

Epsilon was left alone. The hourglass was on the table, had five scratches and the sand was running down. Aurora and Kel had told her to do this! With a heavy heart...

It was not too late to turn back. As the last grain of sand fell, the Zoroark hesitated briefly. Should she really do it? But then she knew... all that could stop her was her doubt! One single claw strike and...