Professor Sada POV

  The first thought that struck me as the taxi dropped me off was that the house didn’t look right. Of course it doesn’t; this is Turo’s little lighthouse/observatory/den. What he always dreamed of, not the cozy little home we had back in Los Platos.

  This wasn’t the time to dither about, however; Arven needed me! I walked up quickly to the door, attempting to open it only to find it locked. I knocked three times in rapid succession before waiting, hearing shuffling from within before it was opened, and I’m faced with another thing I didn’t expect: a woman.

  She had reddish-brown hair tied up primly and wore a butler-esque uniform. “Hello, are you a friend of Turo’s?” The mystery woman asked, taking in the lab coat of my own uniform.

  “I’m his ex-wife and Arven’s mother. He… hadn’t mentioned you.” And why should he have to? Turo can date whoever he wants - it’s not like I haven’t - but just, she seems so not his type! “How long have you two been-”

  She shook her head quickly. “Ah, no, it’s not like that. Honestly, I don’t know the man very well at all, but Arven is a dear friend of Nemona’s. I’m the major domo of the estate where she and the rest of the Glitterati family reside. When we heard about what happened, I came over right away to make sure Arven was okay. Arven!” She shouted out, and I heard a muffled shout back, something like ‘coming!’

  “Is Nemona herself here?”

  “No, she’s off at school in Unova; I already told you that, Mom.” Arven said as he entered the living room. He looked… not great. His hair was even more of a mess than it usually was, his shirt was inside out, and his eyes had a ring of red around them, like he’d been crying recently. Despite all of that, I saw how he tried to put up a ‘tough front’ and not show how this was all hurting him.

  “I- sorry, I forgot.” Unusual for me, but I suppose it’s understandable in the current circumstances. "I came over as soon as I heard. I thought-” I thought he’d be alone, that my baby boy would need me. That Turo might be…

  “Is everything okay?” Leah asked, and Arven looked back and forth between us before shrugging.

  “Yeah, it’s fine. You’ve probably got stuff to get back to at ho- Nemona’s home.” She smiled warmly at my boy and gave him a hug.

  “Don’t doubt that we’d all be willing to help. If anything comes up, please feel free to come down to the mansion,” she told us before informing me of where it was (just down the road, near the beach). “I’ve left some sandwiches out for you and your team to share-”

  At that, a large Cyclizar-like, sleek, futuristic-looking Pokemon popped out from one of the Pokeballs at Arven’s side. The violet Pokemon started sniffing eagerly over at the counter before Leah interposed herself between the Pokemon and their desired snack.

  “No! Those are for dinner; you’ve already had plenty for lunch. Understand?” She asked warningly, and despite the power of this strange Pokemon (on such a level that even I, without much skill as a Trainer, could sense it instantly), they shrunk down before Leah’s wagging finger.

  She sighed before turning back to us. “I know that the Young Miss was deeply aggrieved to hear of what happened, and we’re all wishing you and your family the best.” The lady gave a polite bow before exiting.

  I suppose I jumped the Bullet Punch in making assumptions about her. Still, the fact that Arven clearly trusted her more than me… It hurt in a way I hadn’t thought anything would again.

  “So…” There was an awkward tension in the air now that it was just the two of us. Looking around, I took in the place. It was dim, with most of the lights turned off. Near the entrance was a small kitchen with a table for dining at. From the signs of the takeout food boxes piled up in the living room right over, I didn’t think either of them had gotten much use from the kitchen recently though. Those washed dishes in the rack must have been the work of that Leah woman.

  The living room space seemed half normal, with a coffee table, couches, and a television screen, but there were blueprints, sketches, and devices scattered about. I also took note of the dust covering much of those - clear signs that they were Turo’s works and that my ex hadn’t touched them in a while, and out of reverence to his father’s work, neither had Arven. Or maybe because he’s spending all his time at Nemona’s house, I don’t know.

  “Can I see him?” I finally asked, and Arven shrugged.

  “He’s not awake right now, but I guess? Mabosstiff is watching over him.” Arven returned his other Pokemon back, noticing how they were trying to slink over to the kitchen counter. And of course he’d notice; that Pokemon is huge… and familiar.

  “How did you capture that Legendary Pokemon?” I asked as we walked down the hallway that led to Arven and Turo’s room, as well as the washroom and Turo’s laboratory. Once I’d calmed down, it was easy to put the pieces together and recall that Pokemon I’d seen in that book my ex-husband had loved so dearly. More dearly than me or our relationship-

  That line of thought was cut off by my Rotom Phone beeping loudly, floating up to show me a message from Raifort. I set it to silent. Another time, and I’d love to hear about what else you’d discovered of the Scarlet Book, but not right now. Arven looked annoyed at the loud sound in general but was not able to say anything about it.

  “Dad sent Miraidon up from Area Zero. Miraidon is Legendary?” He asked softly, stopping outside the door.

  “By any commonly agreed measurement. Your friend Nemona found one of the other Legendary Pokemon recorded in Heath’s Violet Book, her Radiance.”

  “Huh,” was all Arven had to say before gloom darkened his features once more and he opened the door to his father’s room.

  Surprisingly, Turo’s room looked like far less of a mess than the living room, likely a sign he spent far less conscious time here than he did out there. Mabosstiff, my son’s first Pokemon, lay down near the bed. It was the only piece of furniture, in the center of the room. There was also a cabinet to the side, with several copies of his lab coats hanging crisply there. In front of the bed was a large television screen.

  “You shouldn’t have a television in the bedroom,” I blurted out.

  “Seriously, Mom!?” I didn’t mean to say that. Yes, I think such things can be a distraction, and the best way to unwind after a long day is with a good book, but I didn’t- it’s just so hard to look over there and see…

  “Dear?” Turo’s groggy voice got both our attention. He tried to push himself upright- only to fail with a wince as muscle memory had him pushing with his right arm. An arm no longer there.

  Arven immediately rushed over to his father’s side, his Starter rising to offer help as well, but the man ignored it, adjusting on his own. Using his left arm to prop himself up to a sitting position, I got a proper look at him. He looks so small.

  I’d had many thoughts about my former husband over the years. Some good, some wistful, some angry, many sad, and even a few hateful. But never before had I thought of him and felt pity. But what else can I feel when he looks gaunt and defeated? The bandage around the stump that was remaining of his right arm, just before the elbow, was hardly the only factor making him look less than his usual indomitable, frustrating, brilliant self.

  The fog cleared from his eyes, and he remembered the situation he was in. “Sada. I didn’t expect to see you.”

  “After your injury, they sent word to me. I wanted to make sure Arven was being cared for.” And to see that you were alright.

  His gaze hardened. “I hadn’t known you to care before; I don’t see why now is any different.”

  “Dad!” Arven called out as I sneered at him.

  “Because you cared so much, chasing after fool’s errands in Area Zero. That’s how you got yourself hurt, isn’t it? Probably the only reason you ever left that pit-”

  “MOM!” Arven shouted, and both of us winced, turning to stare at our ten-year-old child. “What are you doing? Dad’s supposed to be resting and you’re- you’re-” He struggled to find the right words to admonish me, but the message struck true.

  “I- I didn’t- he-”

  “Just- get out of here! Please.”

  I fled the room before he could see me cry, or vice versa. Time to hide from that too? It doesn’t matter if you run; you’ll always be a terrible mother. Why did you think things would be any better now?

  I tormented myself with those thoughts for an indeterminate amount of time as I sat on the couch. Playing over and over in my head what I did and said wrong, what I could have done better. Until I saw Arven, standing with his arms crossed in front of me. That pout would look cute if it wasn’t directed at m- oh who am I kidding? It still looks cute.

  My expectation was that he’d yell or throw a tantrum. What I didn’t expect were the cold words that came out of his mouth. “What are you doing?”

  “I- what? I’m here to help look after you! I know we got into an argument; I’ll do better next time, won’t let him rile me up-”

  “I don’t need your help!”

  “You’re a child! My child,” I stressed, aghast. He’s slipping away. Our chats over the phone had been so delicate before, an air of fragility to them. Neither of us wanted to push and break that tentative bond. Now I’m worried it’s falling over an abyss.

  His next words confirmed my fears. “Yeah, well, I’ve got Leah, Mabosstiff, and Miraidon! We’re fine without you. Just go,” he begged. “Before you make things worse.” I tried to speak, but at the sight of my son glaring at me, it felt like there was a solid lump lodged in my throat. Without a word, I turned and exited the house.

  I didn’t leave; I just sat outside. Because I’m not running. I’m not. Arven just needs some space. This is for the best, which is what I said last time, too, wasn’t it?

  With a click, my Pokeball opened up, Relicanth flopping on the grassy ground beside me. “You need water; you can’t be out like this for too long-”

  “Canth.” My Pokemon rasped, surprising me yet again by speaking.

  “... We have a few minutes; that’s true.” My Pokemon realized I didn’t need to be alone with my thoughts right now, so I used her as a patient listener, unloading my fears without worry of scorn or criticism.

  “What do I do? My little boy has grown up so much. Where did he get so cold, so serious from? I want to blame Turo, and I’m sure he shares some of the blame, but this is something else. Maybe that Nemona girl?”

  I chuckled to myself. “He talks about her constantly, like she sets the stars in the night sky. I was skeptical at first. Happy for him, obviously! He made his first friend, and of course I was happy for him. But some of how he went on and on about her… it sounded fantastical. Then I heard about how she became a Champion and met her for myself and found she did live up to his expectations.”

  Pausing, those thoughts reminded me of my newest companion. “Rai didn’t exactly have great things to say about the girl, though. And Nemona is rather eerie, isn’t she? Too formal, too mature, with eyes far too old for a child. I heard of Turo’s struggles to fit in as a child and had my own fair share; it is the curse of genius to be misunderstood. Nemona, though, she doesn’t even try to fit in or reach out to others. What made her decide to become friends with my son then?” I asked suspiciously.

  Saying it aloud would be too much, even to my Relicanth, but I knew my son wasn’t the sharpest. Happy, enthusiastic, determined, and so much more that made me love him so, so deeply, but I could admit to myself he had inherited neither mine nor his father’s brilliance. Far from dumb, but still naive enough that she could easily trick him. To what end, though?

  Groaning, I shook my head, my wild hair swaying back and forth as a cool breeze washed over us. “That’s thinking too much like Rai, and she’s a dear, but hardly objective when it comes to Nemona. She honestly seems like a nice, if strange, girl. No, the real problem was me. Possibly Turo too, but at least he was here some of the time for Arven. Now my boy hates me.”

  Relicanth gave a small rasp, and I returned her to the Dive Ball. “Thanks for listening.” It didn’t fix anything, but I felt a little better.

  Before I could head back inside, I saw a van driving along the road and coming to a stop in front of the lighthouse. Picking myself up from the ground, I moved to investigate. Two men hopped out of the van. “We have some equipment to drop off here. Is Professor Turo around?” One of them asked.

  “I’m Professor Sada; Turo is currently resting.” The first man winced, likely having heard about the incident as well, at least in brief. The van has League symbols on the side. This must be what they had left to remove from his work down in Area Zero.

  “Why don’t I help you move that into his lab in the back?” I offered. Might as well do this much to help… and it’ll give me more time before having to face Turo and Arven again. They shrugged and got to work unloading all of the gear.

  Each of them had a Hariyama to help them move the massive stacks of boxes out, making decently fast work of it with their own skills and strength. While I wasn’t much help in moving the heavy gear personally, I was able to assist them in fitting everything into the lab.

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  The space in his lab wasn’t small by any means, but it was rather cluttered (or ‘anarchically organized,’ as he would put it). Some pieces were easy enough to move and group together, like some of the Tera Crystals we had gathered in our early experimentation for the Tera Orb. Other things, like his Tera Type Changer prototype and other inventions, had to be carefully shifted about or couldn’t be moved at all.

  By the end of it, the boxes were finally loaded, but I was blocked off inside. How is all of this his own personal projects and gear?! Did he do any work for the League at all while down there?

  “Are you okay, Professor?” One of the movers asked me from behind the wall of boxes.

  “I’m fine; you can head off. I can clear a path from here,” I told them and began opening some of the boxes to make some more space. The boxes were big, but many of them weren’t packed to the brim, letting me make some space.

  I checked my Rotom, realizing I’d been at it for about an hour, but there were no messages. Did Arven hear me down here-? Probably not, the lab seems fairly soundproof. I certainly can’t hear him above me. So he must just think I’ve run off. Again. Even knowing I could explain it later, it hurt knowing that my son had such little faith or care in me. It hurts more feeling he’s right to.

  With a heavy sigh, I opened the next box and saw Turo’s lifeless face staring back at me. “Waaah!” I shrieked, falling backwards, landing awkwardly on a chair, and slipping off it, nearly bringing down a pile of gear down on my head.

  That would be a terribly fitting way to die. ‘ Here lies Sada, crushed by a bunch of her ex-husband’s scanning gear and vats, having accomplished nothing with her life. Pushing myself out of my self-abasement and off the ground, I took another look inside the box.

  It clearly wasn’t Turo himself; beyond the fact that he was upstairs right now, this copy was only a torso. Wires and mechanical bits stuck out of the unfinished waist, confirming its robotic nature. Picking it up, I noted how moveable the arms and head were. Well, the one finished arm. In a piece of horrific irony, the robot double had a completed limb on Turo’s right side, while the left arm was only half done.

  “Turo, what were you thinking?” I whispered to myself as I puzzled over it. If it had been a copy of me, I could understand, in some sick sense, what he was doing. But a copy of himself? Why? Turo had always been a proud man, but never so egotistical before to feel the need for anything like that. That was many years ago, though. Arven’s changed; he could have too.

  I didn’t consider myself a nosy person, so perhaps it was Rai rubbing off on me, or I just didn’t have a great measure of myself, or maybe anyone would be driven to search for more after seeing that. In any case, I began rooting through the boxes, looking for something to explain it, to explain everything he’d been up to.

  It didn’t take too long before I found a splotch of purple and pulled out a notebook, recognizing the color my ex preferred. Flipping through his journal, I read some of the entries.

  ‘Day 1 of our expedition,

  My grand project can finally begin. It’s been a long road, but I’m finally here, in Area Zero. Those fantastical creatures I was enamored with as a boy are finally within my grasp, and so much more.

  Of course, I need to temper my expectations. Even with the prefabrication units, setting up the outposts within Area Zero will take time. I think I’ll avail myself of some of the magnificent sights within Area Zero in the meantime.’

  ‘Day 13 of our expedition,

  The first outpost has been established, and our protection detail from the League is insisting we stay with it to rest, leading to very cramped environments. It is somewhat frustrating, but I understand the precautions behind it. Heath was the only member of his expedition to return, and his was the most successful expedition within Area Zero until now. Trainers may have greatly improved their skills over the past two centuries, but public perception has also gotten more critical; a single loss of life would be considered a tragedy nowadays.

  Depending on the person, I could even understand such a dramatic description. Clavell was my mentor at school, and while I’ve surpassed him, he still has a keen mind and was eager to join me and participate in my expedition. The young fellow, Jacqs, also shows some promise. At the very least they provide some decent conversation while we’re cramped up here.’

  ‘Day 74 of our expedition,

  More delays in the expedition. ‘Dangerous Pokemon,’ they say, yet not a single sighting of any of the Legendary beings Heath discovered! The third base was only just completed, and the team waits to travel further. Paradise is within reach, yet those cowards deny me!

  The worst part is how thankful the other scientists act towards Miguel and his Elites Torchicing out of pressing ahead. I can’t begin my work here; we aren’t deep enough yet.

  I suppose I’ll go back to the surface and visit Arven. The Glitterati family has been looking after him well, but communication is difficult within Area Zero. At least the teleportation units work within the bases to make travel to the surface easy. I think I’d go mad if it took me as long to get down as it did to get back.’

  ‘Day 102 of my expedition,

  FINALLY! We’ve reached the heart of Area Zero! The final base isn’t set up yet, but it will be soon.

  I’ve decided to set it up in a crack over the slab that layers this depth. There are further depths to plumb, but I’ll leave those be for the moment. Project Paradise can begin in full now, and nothing will stop me.’

  “Project Paradise…” The words triggered a memory of Turo and me lying together, tangled in the sheets after our first night. It had been exhilarating when I first found him, a match to my intellect, and no less exciting when we eventually coupled.

  He was so animated, speaking of how humans and Pokemon had constantly developed and improved over time. Turo rambled about a future where we had achieved a utopia and how he wanted to reach it. His ‘paradise,’ he said. I said something about how it was a great goal, but how the past carried wonders too. Did his smile dim in that moment, or did I just mistake it under the poor lighting?

  It never seemed like the moment it all went wrong; we still got married, had Arven, and began the Tera Orb project together. Looking back on it though, after that night was the first time we had even a minor argument (that went beyond playful scientific debate) between us.

  I shook such thoughts aside and read more of his journal.

  ‘Day 158 of my expedition,

  It was a long time coming, but Project Paradise is finally online, the first experiment, a rousing success. I have brought a Pokemon from the future into this world, the same as the ones from the sketches within the Violet Book. I appreciate Heath’s work setting me on this path, but his naming scheme of all of the ‘strange Pokemon’ here having ‘Iron’ in front of their name, while somewhat fitting with their appearance, is rather reductive. I will dub this futuristic Cyclizar-esque Pokemon ‘Miraidon.’

  This will be only the first of many successes. I know my boy misses me dearly, but soon, I will have access to the Paradise I envisioned for him.’

  ‘Day 175 of my expedition,

  I hit my first stumbling block in Project Paradise. I attempted to go forward in time, ready to see that grand future, but I could not. Something is blocking me, and I can’t tell what.

  Deciding to clear my head, I explored a bit of the Underdepths. My exploration couldn’t go far, with dangerous Pokemon with a strange form of Terastalization there, and I couldn’t bring any of my brutish escorts with me, or they’d question it further.

  The new ‘Stellar’ Terastalization is interesting but ultimately meaningless, like my Tera Orbs. Honestly, even less worthwhile; Tera Orbs granted me access to Area Zero, but the Stellar Tera Type has shown me no answers to my problems, no path forward.’

  ‘Day 206 of my expedition,

  Difficulties arise in my project. I’ve done my best to push out the other researchers and guard Houndours of the League, but the other scientists persist in pestering me. Perhaps I shall add locks onto my lab; I can justify it in the name of security. It might slow my work down a little, but it will be worth it to not have anyone else stumbling upon my designs. They wouldn’t understand she didn’t’

  ‘Day 230 of my expedition,

  Something bizarre has occurred. I found the Miraidon I conjured to be more timid than some of the others I’ve pulled forth, but quite friendly. They reminded me of my son, so I sent them over to him, as a gift, alongside some of the baubles I’d already given to the League, to his friend, Nemona.

  She is smart but wastes her mind on battling, enthralled with that as many young children are. Still, she bested my predictive machine, so I can’t fault her skills or dedication. The strange thing, however, was that she knew Miraidon’s name. Before I spoke it.

  How can this be? I knew time and space were precarious within Area Zero - it was the basis for Project Paradise in the first place. That the strange energies here twisted time and allowed Heath to catch glimpses of future Pokemon. I used that to create machines that could focus this power for Project Paradise. But I didn’t believe it would work in other ways; that might give someone outside knowledge of the future too.

  How long have I been down here? If I were to leave now, is it possible I would arrive before I entered?’

  ‘Day 289 of my experiment,

  More obstacles, more frustrations. They say I’ve spent too long cooped up in my lab, but don’t they see how science is done? I hear their polite yet inquisitive questions about ‘my results.’ If they want results, I need to be allowed to do my work in peace!

  Of course, I don’t intend on giving them anything. Project Paradise will be for Arven and me alone. I’ll laugh in the future at those foolish, greedy bureaucrats in the League and how I’ve left them with nothing.’

  ‘Day 301,

  The project drags on, and I grow weary. I can pull Pokemon from the future here, but I remain rooted in time. I can’t even send any of the Paradox Pokemon back forward to their own time after drawing them here. Paradise is so close, yet it has barred its gates to me.

  Still, I persevere. When I call a ‘Paradox’ Pokemon from the future, I get the tiniest glimpse into how the portal functions. Adding these pieces together, I hope to unlock the secrets.

  There was a slight setback where some of the Paradox Pokemon escaped into Area Zero. I’ve updated the containment units and can merely hope that these will be enough going forward, though I worry about housing all of them.’

  ‘Day 333,

  Jacqs forced his way to meet me, remarking on some great discovery. I indulged him, and he showed me some sketch of a prehistoric-looking version of Magneton. When pressed on the matter and why no one else in his group saw anything like it, he admitted it might have been a dream.

  Utter nonsense. I berated him for wasting his time, and more importantly, mine. Told him to forget about such fantasies and leave me alone. Hopefully, that will do the trick. I can’t afford to waste time when I’m so close.’

  ‘Day 400,

  Has it truly been four hundred days? At points it will feel like it has been over a thousand. At others, it's like my first step into the fresh, ethereal air of Area Zero was only yesterday.

  I fear the others are whispering behind my back. The grand promises I used to placate the League have run dry. Jacqs has offered to ‘help me’ more than once, and Clavell has commented on how tired I look and suggested I go back home. I see through you, schemers! You’re just trying to get close to my Project Paradise! I alternate between believing they’ll steal it for themselves or sell me out to the League. I don’t need their false offers. Stick back to the worthless outposts, do the busy work I assigned you, and leave me alone!!’

  ‘Day 461 (or was it 463? Or 457?),

  Nemona has reached out to me, a surprise. She was secretive when questioned on her knowledge of Miraidon. I’d theorized that she might have seen the future; her being a Psychic would explain some of the unusual traits and behaviors she possesses. The conversation was brief, with her asking questions about Iron Moth. Apparently it made its way to the surface.

  Was that subject from the first breakout or the second? I can’t recall, but I do remember it being unusually strong and aggressive, even among Paradox Pokemon, so I’m not surprised that it pierced the protections around the Great Crater.

  Nemona has promised a future conversation, one at length. Perhaps she can give me the answers that still elude me. I feel like I’m close, but I thought that when I first brought Miraidon here. She’s asked that I stop the experiments for the time being, and I can indulge her. The AI project has taken much of my attention as of late in any case. Once it’s done, I’ll have a mechanical copy of my mind. Together, I’m sure we’ll be able to crack the obstacles standing in my path.’

  ‘Day… It doesn’t matter, and I’ve lost track.

  Nemona called me. She’s Champion now, the greatest in all of Paldea. Asking me to wait was a ploy, and now she drops an ultimatum on me. To stop my work. Worst of all, I agreed.

  She claims to have seen the future and knows too much about what I was trying to do to be entirely wrong. She says that I failed, that I got myself killed at the hands of one of my Paradox Pokemon, that the AI I built was forced to go along with it and even it wanted to stop.

  I hate her and think that I’m close, but this was all supposed to be for my son, to give Arven a Paradise he deserves, and I can’t deny that my absence is hurting him now.

  So I'm set to leave. My original plan to leave the League holding the bag won’t work anymore if I’m stuck living in this wretched time. The Tera Blast Technical Machine won’t wow them, but it will be something. Discovering a ‘New Type’ with Stellar Terastalization should hopefully be enough to justify it and keep the Mandibuzzes off my back as I repair my relationship with Arven.

  Just a bit longer, my son, and I’ll be back with you.’

  I dropped the book, sinking down in shock. “A time machine? A time machine!? That’s what you were working on?” I screamed. “Was this Project Paradise even worth it?” A jolt of fear and surprise ran through me when someone answered.

  “That was the hope. Prof-essor Turo was working on Project Paradise, a time machine. The device, if fully functional, would have allowed him to travel to the future.” Turo’s voice came out of the robot, and I stared at it in shock.

  “You- you’re the artificial intelligence he made.”

  “Correct. I am Turo AI, be-be-beta edition.” The machine’s head jerked around slightly, looking at his unfinished body. “My primary purpose was to assist Turo with perfecting the Paradise machine and protecting it through the Paradise protocols, but they were… unfinished, like myself.”

  “Of course he did. Only Turo would be arrogant enough to build a time machine and then assume that he was the only one smart enough to assist him with such a project. And he said I was running away from my problems! He even tried to use it early on to go to the future, without telling Arven! How was he supposed to get back?”

  “M-my me-me-mory banks aren’t perfect, but I would imagine the original Turo assumed that they would have time machines in the future, more advanced than his current designs, to let him go back.” I paused at the AI’s words.

  “The machine can go backwards in time as well?” I asked, an idea starting to take root within me.

  “Arguably easier than forward; T-t-turo only managed to send Pokeballs forward in time. He then pulled them out after catching a Pokemon. In addition, his copy of the Vi-vio-violet Book has notes from a future Turo.” Pieces clicked into place with that revelation, explaining much of my ex-husband’s behavior (as well as hurting more that he never was willing to share that with me, his wife at the time). But with it came another idea, one I was eager to pursue.

  “Would you be willing to help me make the Paradise Machine capable of going backwards in time?” Without the AI it would be immensely difficult even with the rest of Turo’s notes, but with it…

  The machine processed the question for a long minute, its eyes growing dim, and for a moment, I thought it had powered down. Then it spoke. “My primary objective was to ensure that Proje-je-ject Paradise is capable of sending a person through time. This fulfills that function. The Paradise Protocols are specifically designed to make sure the machine remains undamaged and can send people to the future, which would not fi-fi-t your request. However, these Protocols have been set to inactive, so I can only assume my creator does not wish for them to intercede here.”

  “Yes, that makes sense,” I said. I’ll need to convince this machine to let me get a look at its coding at some point, both to smooth out any bugs, but also to ensure it doesn’t betray me. With this confirmation, I allowed myself to dream of what could be without holding back.

  That ability to travel through time… Turo wanted to run off to the future, but what secrets of the past could be discovered with this? Does it use alternate dimensions? Is that how the Scarlet Book got here? I could bring the Pokemon from that timeline/past here, and they did look interesting. More importantly, though, fixing my mistakes.

  So many mistakes I had made, so much I could fix if I simply knew then what I know now. I wouldn’t even need to worry about abandoning Arven to focus on this, because unlike Turo’s Buneary-haired scheme, when my plan succeeded, I could be there for Arven from the start! I could stop Raifort from getting caught… maybe even fix things with Turo. Maybe. That one might be better left in the past. But even still, I could end things more amicably so that we don’t instantly devolve into bickering fools even after he’s been horribly maimed by some dangerous wild Pokemon.

  “Right, Area Zero is filled with dangers. I might be able to secure some of his designs and machines, but smuggling them within Area Zero will be difficult. Rai could help me though; I’m sure she’d leap at the opportunity to discover more about the past.” There was so much to plan, so much that could still go wrong; the exact details still needed to be worked out. It felt reckless and insane! A small kernel of hope was ignited in my heart, though.

  “I can do it,” I let out a bare whisper, hardly daring to even speak the words to myself. As if this miracle I’d found might vanish in an instant if I grasped it too tightly. “I can fix everything.”

  Discord. Thank you, and I hope you're having a great day.