EVERYONE: - Ongoing Stardust Prophecy

[JFrombaugh]

Content Warnings: None in particular I can think of

Following the interviews of The Paxton & Joseph Show (Games universe) and The Joseph & Alice Podcast, Joseph & his friend Alice have gone their separate ways, each unsure of what their future held. Joseph began working on a contract assignment with Cynthia, while Alice chose to attend at Uva Academy as a transfer student.

But now, space-time is suddenly growing unstable...and in the wake of strange visions and other anomalies, their paths are about to cross again - this time, in ways neither of them could have imagined.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: The Anomaly Beneath!
Chapter 2: A Treasure Map from a Dream?!
Chapter 3: Signals Crossed!
Chapter 4: Overindulgence & Interference!

 

[JFrombaugh]

Chapter 1: The Anomaly Beneath!

(A new morning rises in Cynthia’s office in Celestic Town. Stacks of books, a glowing monitor, and empty cups of tea line Cynthia’s workspace. Joseph flips through a weathered field journal while Cynthia is speaking with someone else via a livestream on her computer.)

Cynthia: This is Cynthia speaking. How may I help you?

Ruin Maniac Harry: Cynthia! Glad you’re available to talk right now. I’ve got an update for you. Our scanners picked up the signal again just outside Mt. Coronet. Same wavelength as the Mirage Tower readings in Hoenn, but with intermittent pulses. Almost like it’s…responding to something.

Cynthia: Interesting. This could be a lead worth pursuing. Keep me posted on any developments.

Ruin Maniac Harry: Will do.

(He closes the feed. Cynthia turns to Joseph.)

Cynthia: I was just speaking with Harry, the lead archaeologist working at Mt. Coronet Dig Site #4. He says they just picked up the signal again, and it does not appear to be a coincidental blip.

Joseph: Do you think it’s linked to the Plates?

Cynthia: Possibly. Or, it could be something else we have yet to discover about ancient Hisui. I’d gladly investigate it myself, but the League’s just requested another historical audit of the Canalave artifacts.

(Cynthia sighs)

Joseph: Yeah, that sounds like them all right.

Cynthia: I need someone I trust to go in my place. And after everything you’ve helped uncover in Celestic, I think that someone’s you.

Joseph: Me? But I’ve only just begun this contract a few weeks ago! I don’t know the first thing about the kinds of fieldwork you guys do…

Cynthia: Oh, come on, Joseph. Don’t sell yourself short. I know just how accomplished a Pokémon Trainer you are from the battles we’ve had with each other over the years. And like I said, you’ve already demonstrated your talent to me on the first assignment I gave you. Harry will explain everything when you get there. Just keep your chin up, do what you did last time, and you’ll be fine.

Joseph: Well all right then. And good luck with that artifact audit! Hope those folks at the League don’t keep you going in circles for too long…

(Joseph puts on his backpack, then walks out into the sunlight. As he walks toward the specific site Cynthia mentioned, he can’t help but get a bit nostalgic…)

Joseph: I wonder how Alice is doing over at that academy in Paldea she’s attending now? She sounded like she genuinely wanted to gain some insights from it, although I don’t think even she knows exactly what she wants to do. And I wonder…is Dad’s gig with the Goldenrod Radio Tower taking off? Hopefully they have better security than that old studio in Celadon and he’s finally been able to make it through some interviews without chaos happening…

(Awhile later, he finally arrives at the dig site. Field researchers mill about while scanners and other equipment hum.)

Ruin Maniac Harry: Oh, hey Joseph! Surprised Cynthia sent you in her place. Guess she’s bogged down in other stuff again, huh?

Joseph: From what she told me, yes. But anyway. Can you give me the briefing on what’s happening here?

Ruin Maniac Harry: Well, the signal’s strongest near that outcrop. Here’s your scanner to help you pinpoint where to dig. Just be careful…it’s already spiked a few sensors and nearly fried our last analyzer.

Joseph: Noted.

Ruin Maniac Harry: Just let me know if you need help or if anything else goes wrong.

Joseph: (thinking to himself) What could possibly go wrong?

(Joseph heads over to the rocks, and starts digging. Suddenly, his shovel hits something metal.)

Joseph: Huh?!

(He clears away some more of the dirt, revealing an object that appears to be golden, almost ring-like. He reaches out to touch it, and suddenly…a pulse of blue light passes through his vision)

Joseph: What the…?!

(His visions goes black and fades to patterns of blue and red stars. Then, just as suddenly, Joseph’s vision comes back.)

Joseph: Wait a minute, this is the same village I saw in that random vision I experienced in Stow-on-Side’s hotel! Could all of this somehow be related?

(The same teenage boy from the vision who looks a lot like Joseph but wearing a large monk-like hat is walking with another person, wearing an outfit with a logo that looks very similar to Team Galactic's logo, but something tells Joseph it's not the same organization)

Gatekeeper: Be careful out there, Hiro. The wild Pokémon have been growing increasingly aggressive, and we wouldn't want to lose another new recruit, now would we?

Hiro: Thanks for the encouragement.

(The blue and red stars cloud Joseph’s vision again, which then gives way to a scene of Hiro and the other researcher at the Obsidian Fieldlands camp)

Hiro: There are many different ways you can contribute to the Pokedex. It's impossible to suggest which is the best - that all depends on the area you're doing survey work in and what you're best at, battling or throwing Poke Balls.

(The vision quickly shifts again, to the two of them standing out in the field together)

Hiro: I'll leave the rest up to you, but experiment to get the best results.

(The vision shifts again. Hiro is now sitting at a restaurant, enjoying potato mochi and having a conversation with Irida)

Hiro: It's been interesting learning about how some others in Hisui go about their training. For example, Commander Kamado is a master of the sumo arts, and Captain Zisu knows a unique martial art derived from Pokémon moves. Myself? I practice Tai Chi, which is what they call a mind-body practice because, while it is a martial art, it’s based around balancing the energy of both the body and mind.

Irida: Has that philosophy helped you with your Survey Corps duties?

Hiro: Absolutely! You need to be both physically fit as well as sound of mind in order to research Pokémon. Just ask Rei or Akari. And my Decidueye also trains by my side.

(Joseph is confused...because that bird next to Hiro doesn't look like any Decidueye he's ever seen before. Is it an ancient regional variant? But before he can get any answers, the vision shifts yet again, and Hiro is now kneeling in a misty clearing, writing in a field journal. He is now standing with an Espeon by his side, looking worried.)

Hiro: Hmmm…these space-time distortions definitely seem to be growing in frequency and intensity, as Professor Laventon said. It is most worrisome...

Espeon: Espy...

(The blue stars shoot across the scene again as it fades to black. Joseph slowly opens his eyes.)

Archaeologist: Hey, you. You're finally awake.

Joseph: What...what just happened?

Archaeologist: Easy now. You've been out cold for a couple of hours.

(He looks at the monitors)

Archaeologist: No physical damage...mentally, the jury is still out…do you remember who you are? Joseph? Working on a contract assignment with Cynthia? Sent you to investigate a signal at Site #4 on Mt. Coronet? Does any of that ring a bell?

Joseph: I saw him again…but he wasn’t quite me.

Ruin Maniac Harry: Easy now. You need some rest. I’ll call Cynthia and you can tell her everything.

 

[JFrombaugh]

Chapter 2: A Treasure Map from a Dream?!

(Meanwhile, Alice, having parted ways with Joseph to attend Uva Academy and find meaning through its Treasure Hunt, is working in the Academy's library, stacking returned books. She glances at the cover of one: “Unnatural Energy Patterns in Kalos”. Nearby, another student is chatting with the librarian about the Treasure Hunt.)

Student: I heard Penny’s “Treasure” was an AI project about Area Zero’s mysteries! Like…how am I supposed to compete with that?

Librarian: Well, if you ask me, the main point Clavell wants to make through this exercise is that the “Treasure” you’re searching for doesn’t necessarily have to be flashy. It just has to mean something to you personally.

(Alice finishes shelving the books, then walks up to the Librarian)

Alice: Hey, I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation from earlier. I just thought I’d mention that I haven’t figured out what my “Treasure” could possibly be either. And to be honest, that’s why I signed up for a term at this academy, because I feel like I’m at a crossroads in my life. Is my Treasure finding my true calling? A creative project? Appreciation for the cultures of different regions? I’ve been pondering for many days now, but so far the best I can come up with is some kind of creative art project alongside Hassell and Brassius.

Librarian: Every student has their own idea for what the “Treasure” is. Nemona always loved battling, so she challenged the Paldea League and became Champion. Other students have tried to find literal treasure using their Pokémon or an Item Finder, while many others still have done research projects into the Terestal phenomeon. Play to your strengths, Alice.

(Alice heads back to her dorm room for the night, still lost in thought)

Alice: Gosh, I was just remembering...I do miss those days I spent travelling with Joseph and interviewing Pokémon Trainers for that Podcast we ran together. I wonder how his research with Cynthia is going? Maybe I should give him a call sometime.

(Alice puts down her notes)

Alice: Well, either way, I have Double Art with Hassell tomorrow, so I’ll ask him after class if he has any advice for overcoming artist’s block, or finding purpose in life. I’m sure he’s probably been through this himself...

(Alice turns off the light, and tosses and turns in bed for awhile before finally dozing off. But instead of a dream, she begins to see glowing stars zooming by, before the inside of an unfamiliar office building comes into her focus)

Alice: That’s odd. I don’t usually have dreams like this, and this somehow feels more…vivid?

(A young woman, looking to be in her late teens, with a superficial resemblance to Alice but with a somewhat different haircut, sits at one of the cubicles. A digital map of Lumiose City’s Autumnal Avenue is visible on her computer screen, overlaid with various information such as the location of underground power conduits.)

Woman: They’re not telling us everything. If that layer’s active again, it means…

(But before she can say what it means, the stars zoom by Alice’s vision again, and the scene shifts to the interior of an abandoned building. Puddles of acid line the floor and walls. A Pokemon that looks a lot like Victreebel, but with a belly swollen to several times its normal size and with its vines tying its mouth closed, is rampaging, seemingly in pain sometimes opening its mouth to spit out huge blasts of acid. The same woman with a resemblance to Alice stands beside an Umbreon, trying desperately to calm it down)

Woman: It's no use...Umbreon, try to distract it!

(The vision then shifts to the same young woman from before, standing in what appears to be a modern version of the Looker Bureau, talking to someone who looks like a grown-up version of Emma)

Adult Emma: Miranda! Glad to see you made it back in one piece after your recent outing. Can you debrief me on the situation?

Alice: (thinking) Miranda? That’s...the name of my cousin who lives in Lumiose! But it can’t be her, she’s still just a little girl…

Miranda: Well, Emma, I’m afraid you may be right about Quasartico and the Rogue Mega Evolutions. After the news broke that a Rogue Mega Victreebel was behind the “sweet scent” ghost story and the damage to that abandoned warehouse, there was a lot of chatter about trying to redirect the media’s attention back to the Redevelopment Plan and using that story as a cover. It's also worth noting that after the initial spike in communications, there has been a sudden drop-off. Several Quasartico employees were missing from yesterday’s meeting, many of whom represented some of the most senior members of management.

Emma: (stirring some creamer into her coffee) Go on.

Miranda: When I asked around about the low attendance, most cited the Z-A Royale, but Taunie mentioned to me today while I was out doing field work that she’d heard a rumor that Corbeau, one of the leaders of the Rust Syndicate, had arrived in town. Whether the two are connected, I can’t say for certain. But I’ll keep you posted on how it all pans out.

Emma: Regardless, I sure hope those kids don’t start chatting up with the likes of them. It’s easy to think bashing a few skulls in will get you what you want, but that’s not what Lumiose is about.

(The blue shooting stars reappear again, and Alice’s vision shifts back to the Quasartico office, where Miranda is now reading a memo on her computer)

Hey Miranda,

Sorry about missing the meeting but something more important came up. I’m not allowed to say what it is, and I wish I could tell you more because, to be honest, we could use someone with your skills as a Pokémon Trainer helping us. But if Project Pulsar is to succeed, we’ve got to be careful.

I think these Prism Tower renovations might be the closest this whole Redevelopment Plan is ever going to get to making real progress.

I’ll mention your name around though and see what some of the others think.

(But before Alice can read the name of whoever sent it, the vision shifts again…to the streets of Lumiose at night. A red field appears to designate this particular area of the city as some kind of special Battle Zone. Miranda is now in a battle with another Trainer.)

Miranda: Venusaur, use Petal Blizzard!

(It scores a super-effective hit on the Trainer's Diggersby, knocking it out. The battle ends, and the Trainer recalls his Diggersby. Venusaur reverts to its un-Mega Evolved form.)

Trainer: Humph…you only won because you attacked while my back was turned! I swear, I don’t know why that’s even allowed…

(He gives Miranda her prize money, then stomps off)

Miranda: Good job, Venusaur. Only 200 more Points until we can finally take on our next Promotion Match!

Venusaur: Veeeeenusaur!

Miranda: (looking up at the night sky, worried) I just hope I can reach Rank A before it's too late…

(The blue stars appear again, and the dream fades to black…Alice suddenly opens her eyes.

Alice: Huh? Oh, so that was just a dream after all. But yet...it almost felt more like a premonition. A mapping technician who looks like my cousin and has the same name as her…a possible Mega evolution for Victreebel…some kind of renovations going on in Lumiose…what could it all mean?

(She thinks it all over while the sun slowly rises)

Alice: I could bring this up with Hassell or someone else, but they’d probably assure me I just had a weird dream and that there’s nothing to worry about. And yet, somehow...I have an…unsettling feeling about this.

(After a few more minutes of deliberation, the answer finally comes to Alice)

Alice: Oh! I’ve got it! I’ll call Joseph!

(Alice reaches for her Rotom Phone, and dials the number)

 

[JFrombaugh]

Chapter 3: Signals Crossed

(After his recent adventure, Joseph is now sitting in Cynthia’s office, trying to explain to her what happened in the hopes that maybe she will understand)

Joseph: I swear, I’m telling you the truth, Cynthia! The other archaeologists keep telling me I just fainted from the electromagnetic interference and had a crazy nightmare, but trust me, I really do think there was something deeper to everything I saw. I mean, what could that ring-like object even be anyway? Wasn’t that what was causing the readings? Or was all this just another case of scanning equipment malfunctions?

Cynthia: I understand your concerns. I’ll look into some books about Sinnoh’s legends to see if we can maybe get any answers. Perhaps one of them will describe a similar object?

Joseph: Maybe.

(Just then, Joseph’s phone starts ringing)

Joseph: Oh, it’s Alice!

(Joseph answers)

Joseph: Hi there, Alice! Been awhile since I talked to you! I’m still alive, I’ve just been busy with Cynthia and her research. Hope you’re doing well. How’s it going?

Alice: Oh, Joseph! Am I glad to speak with you again! Uh…don’t get angry with me when I say this, but…I just wanted to tell you about a dream I had last night. I promise you, it seemed like something so much more significant!

Joseph: (quietly) I knew it! This can't be a coincidence!

Alice: I’m sorry?

Joseph: Oh, nothing. What did you dream about last night, Alice?

Alice: If you can call it a dream. It felt much more lucid than that, almost like a sort of premonition. But anyway. I saw several shooting stars falling across my vision, and then I was in Lumiose City, and there were many Pokémon roaming the streets. Several buildings seemed to be getting renovated. Then I saw a girl named Miranda, who was working under contract for some company called Quasartico. But the thing is, Miranda is the name of my younger cousin who’s living in Lumiose! And this girl in my visions looked just like her, but older.

Joseph: Huh, that does seem odd.

Alice: But that's not all! I saw her talking to a woman named Emma in what appeared to be the Looker Bureau, and she also looked a lot like the very same Emma whom Looker entrusted to run the Looker Bureau in Lumiose! Something tells me they were the same people, I just know it!

Joseph: Very interesting. Anything else you remember?

Alice: Yes, many other things stood out to me! There was a building with pools of acid on the floors and the walls, while a Pokemon that looked like Victreebel but with a huge belly, was rampaging around, seemingly in pain. It looked almost like a Mega Evolution of Victreebel, yet I’ve never heard of Victreebel being able to Mega Evolve, and it didn't seem to have an owner. And then after that I saw Miranda reading some emails on her office computer that seemed to suggest this Quasartico company might know something about that incident. And finally, I saw her battling a Trainer in some kind of nighttime tournament in the city streets, saying she wants to reach Rank A, sounding almost as if the future of Lumiose as she knew it depended on it.

Joseph: Wow…I don’t even know what to say…

Alice: Joseph! Please tell me you believe me!

Joseph: Yeah, I believe you. I just wasn’t there in your dream so I can’t tell for sure how vivid it truly felt, is all.

Alice: Well, thank you. Even if it really was just a dream, I felt like you were one of the few people I could open up to about it, you know?

Joseph: I didn’t want to alarm you earlier, but…I actually had a similar sort of vision myself.

Alice: Really?!

Joseph: Yes. Only mine wasn’t actually a dream per se, but I saw something very similar after touching some metallic object that looked almost like a ring at a dig site near Mt. Coronet. Same thing you described with the shooting stars and the fragmented visions, and this underlying feeling that what you saw was meant to come almost as a warning.

Alice: Oh my…

Joseph: I saw a boy, maybe 15 years old or so, who looked a lot like me but with longer hair, wearing old-fashioned Sinnoh robes. The others called him Hiro, although I don’t know anyone of that name. He had an Espeon, and a Decidueye with red feathers that resembled autumn leaves…didn’t look like any Decidueye I’ve ever seen.

Alice: Intriguing…

Joseph: This Hiro person was working with someone else, helping them to do what seemed to be research on wild Pokemon, and then the visions shifted to him expressing concern about space-time distortions, or something like that. But one more thing that stood out to me: The people he was working with… they called themselves the Galaxy Team. Which is weird, right? Could they be connected to Team Galactic somehow?

Alice: Possibly?

Joseph: And the other thing is, I had a vision of that same Hiro person back in Stow-on-Side when we were still doing the podcast, but I didn’t tell you about it because I thought you’d just dismiss me as crazy.

Alice: That’s right, I remember now…

Joseph: And that’s why I believe you about your dream.

Alice: Mega Evolutions behaving strangely...space-time distortions…an older version of my cousin…someone who you say looks very similar to you…

Joseph: What if these aren’t just dreams? What if they’re...echoes of another version of ourselves?

Alice: It does seem that way, doesn’t it? Still, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.

Joseph: You know what? I think we should write all this stuff down just in case it happens again.

Alice: And I’ll ask around at the Academy, look in the library for any books that could be worthwhile leads, and so forth. And perhaps also ask my cousin a few questions.

Joseph: Yeah…I just can’t shake the feeling that…all of this is bigger than us. And I think we may not the only ones getting pulled in.

(suddenly a bell rings in the background of Alice’s call)

Alice: Oh, look at the time! I’ve got to get to my first period class! Well anyway, I’ll think about who it might be safe to bring this up with, and what questions to ask.

Joseph: Take care, Alice! I’ll keep you posted with things on my end, as well!

(Joseph hangs up)

Cynthia: Joseph. I overheard what you were telling Alice.

Joseph: Hey! That was a private conversation! Keep out-

(But then he sees Cynthia is smiling)

Cynthia: I just wanted you to know that I agree. This seems like too much of a coincidence not to further investigate.

 

[JFrombaugh]

Chapter 4: Overindulgence and interference

(Meanwhile, in a universe parallel to the one Joseph & Alice were just talking to each other in, an alternate version of Joseph is in Lumiose City, wandering the streets.)

Joseph: Man…despite all the chaos, I gotta admit a part of me misses the days of the Joseph & Paxton Show. We interviewed so many great Trainers, from Serena to the Ash Ketchum himself. I sure wish Dad would hurry up and get the logistics for a second season sorted out. In the meantime, guess I’ll just enjoy this free trip to Lumiose he paid for.

(Suddenly Joseph spots a stand with a sign that reads: Serena’s Macarons)

Joseph: Wait, Serena’s here?! I thought she was in Hoenn. Well, no matter, I gotta go talk to her!

(He approaches the stand. Serena is standing behind it, cheerful, her Delphox waving with a ladle.)

Serena: Oh, hey Joseph! Long time no see!

Joseph: Hi, Serena! Didn’t expect to run into you here! I see your Braxien finally evolved, too.

Serena: That’s right! I’m taking a break from Contests to see Clemont and the rest of my friends.

Joseph: That’s nice. I’m in the midst of a vacation to reflect on my path forward myself after the Paxton & Joseph Show went off the air. Do I give Pokémon Showcases a spin? Or maybe take on the Kalos League? Or…something else entirely?

Serena: I know how you feel. It took me a long time to decide on my path forward as a Pokémon Trainer too!

Joseph: That’s right, you told me your mother wanted you to be a Rhyhorn racer like her, but you left for something more meaningful…which turned out to be Pokémon Showcases!

(Serena nods)

Joseph: Well, anywho, can I try some of your macarons? I remember Clemont told me you know a thing or two about baking.

Serena: Sure! Just take a look at the menu and let me know which one you want to try! My recommendations? Sylveon really likes the Sweet Caramel Apple macaron. Or if you’re really brave, you could try the Fire Blast macaron, made with the same spicy Tamato Berries Delphox loves, and which I used to use to keep Chespin from eating them all!

Joseph: Bring on the Fire Blast Macaron! I generally like spicy things, and besides, you only live once, right?

Serena: TA-DA! There you go! But don’t say I didn’t warn you…

(Joseph takes a bite off it, and immediately begins to sweat as his face flushes)

Joseph: WAAAAH! SPICY! Hah hah hah…

(Serena gives Joseph one of those “told you so” smiles. But Joseph keeps nibbling away at it, until he finishes it)

Joseph: Phew. Well, I liked the flavors of the macaron, once I got over the extreme heat. Now…do you have anything I can drink to quench the flames?

Serena: Well, I’ve got water. Ooh, or you could try my special home-brewed SerenaTea! It’s made with fresh berries and a few secret ingredients my Pokemon swear by!

Joseph: Sure, why not, I’ll take a glass.

(Serena pours out a glass and hands it to Joseph)

Serena: Ta-da! Bon appetit!

(Joseph takes a few sips)

Joseph: Whoa…that’s good. Like…way too good.

(Joseph finishes his glass of SerenaTea…and then buys and drinks a second glass…and then three…four…five…)

Serena: (somewhat nervously) You SURE you want another one?

Joseph: (nodding) My mouth is still on fire…and I had no idea Kalos had this many unique and tasty flavors!

(After Joseph finishes a couple more glasses…)

Serena: (giggling) Wow, that’s a lot of tea! Your stomach is going to be filing a formal complaint…

Joseph: Yeah, maybe that’s enough. It’s time for me to go. There’s lots of sights to see here in Lumiose. Good luck in your performances, wherever they may take you next!

Serena: Thanks! Take care!

(Joseph walks away, then sees a taxi stop)

Joseph: Now, where to next? Maybe the Lumiose Museum…? Might as well go there as much as anywhere.

(Joseph flags down a taxi, tells the driver Lumiose Museum, and they’re off. But just then, Joseph realizes why overindulging in SerenaTea while sightseeing may not have been the brightest idea)

Joseph: Oof. Should’ve listened to Serena and stopped at the second glass. Now I really have to go to the bathroom…

(Suddenly the lights and sirens of a police car start blaring behind them)

Joseph: You have got to be kidding me.

(The taxi drivers slows down, and pulls off to the side of the road. Officer Jenny then gets out of her car and walks up to the driver)

Officer Jenny: Sir, you were going 62 mph in a 50 mph Speed Limit zone. I need to see your license.

(The driver obeys and hands it to her. Meanwhile, Joseph is squirming in his seat, cursing his situation. Awhile later...)

Joseph: Hey, uh, Mr. Driver? You know what? I...I, uh, just realized something. Uhhh...I actually told you the wrong place. I need to go to Cafe L'air de la Sirene, not the Lumiose Museum. It's just a short walk away from here, and I really, REALLY need to be going or else I'll be late for my meeting. Thanks for the ride, and have a nice day!

(Joseph mindlessly shoves a few PokeDollar coins into the driver's hands, then makes a mad dash out into the streets of Lumiose)

Driver: Hey, come back here! There is no such café! There’s something you’re not telling me here!

(Several fruitless minutes of searching for a bathroom later…)

Joseph: Oh oh ohhh…I’m about to burst!!!

(Joseph spots a café, but a sign out front says “Restrooms for customers only”

Joseph: D’oh!

(Several minutes later still, Joseph, on the verge of having an accident, finally spots…)

Joseph: A POKEMON CENTER!

(Joseph rushes inside, and quickly hands his Poke Balls to Nurse Joy.)

Joseph: Check my Pokemon, Nurse Joy. Please, just check them!

(Nurse Joy lets Joseph’s Pokémon out of their Poke Balls, and starts to look them over)

Nurse Joy: Joseph, your Pokémon appear to be perfectly healthy, I don’t see any…Joseph?

(From the restrooms off to the side, Joseph’s loud sighs of relief can be heard way out in the main lobby)

Nurse Joy: O-kay…

(Back outside, afterwards)

Joseph: Okay, note to self. Don’t eat spicy macarons or drink too much of Serena’s tea while on vacation. Wait, why are the signs all in cursive?!

(The alleyway distorts, warping like a heatwave. A glowing ring of violet light hums quietly above a storm drain.)

Joseph: What’s that?!

(The ring pulses. Wind picks up. Trash stirs. The ground glitches beneath his feet for a half-second. Then, just as suddenly as it started, everything goes back to normal.)

Joseph: ...Okay. I either hallucinated that... or drank my way into a plot device.

 

[System Error]

You beeped me about this, and so here I am, better late than never! Let's see what the sequel has to offer. Hopefully I can remember what happened before. From the fic's description though, it looks like the stakes are higher in this one. Let's jump into it!

• So Cynthia just leaves a bunch of tea cups lined up in a row? Hasn't she heard of reusing and refilling them? Or for that matter, washing them?
• Oh hey shoutouts to actual generic trainers in the games, always a nice detail to see in a fic. Harry is a Ruin Maniac in Sinnoh.
• Mirage Tower? Right, that was a thing in Emerald, not to be confused with Mirage Island. Interesting thing to link to it though, given that place doesn't even have any lore and is more or less a place to make the fossils less random.
• Another historical audit? What was the problem with the ones before? And what does a historical audit even entail anyway? Couldn't find any information on it.
• A few weeks in and he's already got his first field assignment! What an opportunity!
• I guess this is several years later? And he was Pokemon training with the Champion? Or former Champ, it's unclear at the moment, but she still seems to have League responsibilities.
• I hope he and Alice kept in contact. Is what I wrote a few bits before. It sounds like they really haven't been.
• Shoutouts to the crazy chaos of the interviews.
• Why are they making the kid dig when there are far more expendable people around? My running theory is that is exactly why: they consider him to be expendable and don't want to be the one to risk it themselves. It would certainly fit the tone of this universe.
• Famous last words, Joseph. There are tons of things that could go wrong.
• Oh huh Joseph is supposed to be a stand-in for Diamond hence this Hisuian counterpart? Or is this just his past stand-in?
• A lot of flashbacks going on up in here. Jumping from scene to scene.
• Mochi mochi. I guess they had fancy restaurants even back then.
• Yeah I guess that answers that. It looks like this is just some sort of counterpart self. Or maybe it's his past. Or his future. Spacetime is said to be breaking after all and it's heavily implied that Rei and/or Akari got timewarped too.
• I guess they didn't survive the transition to the modern era unlike some of the other Hisuian forms. Or maybe he's just not educated enough.
• Of course the distortions would affect the past too. Only question now is, will they affect the future? I guess that's what Alice's side of the story is going to be about.
• Ah yes, Archaeologist without a name. Kind of a rude awakening, "Hey, you." Again, definitely fits with the tone of this universe.

This is certainly an interesting start to the story, and definitely looks like this one is going to be a lot more involved than the more episodic skit based previous ones. And yet it still has that recognizable script based style. It isn't necessarily bad: you have plenty of description in between so that it's not entirely without scene setting.

I'll be back for more of this when I can. Good work on it, and hope to see this continue in the future!