Kaname sat in a small conference room, anxiously drumming his fingers against the metal tabletop with one hand, occasionally pausing to turn the pages of the small report he was reading. Across from him were two similar reports and empty seats, waiting to be filled by oscar clayton and Lulu Flint .

He had invited both of them to a meeting under the premise of hearing a proposal and possibly collaborating on it together. Kaname had neglected to fully mention exactly what the proposal was about, but he had hoped that would be enough to entice them to show up and hear him out. Oscar and Lulu, after all, were integral pieces to unlocking his crazy little idea.

The scientist stopped momentarily, gazing at his wrist watch and nodding.

“Any minute now,” Kaname murmured, his heartbeat quickening with anticipation.

It was foolish to accept a gift from an enemy. A chance to change one’s life was always going to come with strings attached, yet Kaname jumped at the opportunity. He entered the portal and flung himself across all his possibilities with the kind of reckless abandon that would’ve made Kouji Matsubara blush.

Countless moments existed for every choice made or not made. Every decision or lack thereof spiraled into countless threads of lives not lived. There were an infinity of pasts, presents, and futures that he had sort through, but eventually he found it.

The single thread of connecting pain that passed throughout his life; the thorn that had lodged itself into his side and infected him.

The longing that would lead him to Hoenn, to push him to greater heights, and the thing that would eventually crush him on Route 115, in a cave.

Kaname reached out with his hand and grasped it, pulling tight until it snapped.

“In another life, you might’ve been good for me, truly. But now I realize you’ve always been my anchor, drowning me.”

There was a moment of silence, as the world came into view. A small lab, papers scattered around. A familiar scene from only a year and a half ago.

“This will be our goodbye.” Kaname said, taking a seat at the desk, knowing what would come next.

What do you want for Wintertide? The eternal question on the mind of children and adults everywhere across the region, because we all want something… don’t we? For so long I wasn’t allowed to want, only to just be as I was asked to be. A puppet who danced when someone pulled his strings. A Lycanroc that sat when told.

I wanted control then, and though I didn’t know it… I found it in Team Rocket, in Hoenn, in ways I never expected. So I guess I have my foolish childhood love for jayden cross to thank for that.

I was REWARDED for my desires, my talents were finally recognized here. I had what I needed to excel, succeed, and be more than what was thought of me.

Power and glory tasted so sweet.

So for Wintertide, what do I want? I am not asking for redemption or success outright. That’s foolish and being handed it would be MEANINGLESS.

I merely want the chance to prove myself worthy again; one more fight in the Colosseum so to speak. For the chance alone to taste power and greatness once again, I would fight tooth and nail for it. It’s not worth it if I don’t work for it, right?

-

What would I change in my past? Is this recent or further back? If we talk about the recent past… I would quash my hubris. I flew too close to the sun, forgetting my wings were made of wax. Those wax wings that the gods saw fit to tear from MY BACK, I would still be humbly wearing them if I hadn’t flown into the sun… I would bury my pride if I could change that one night, because that one little night changed everything for me.


If we talk further back? Perhaps nothing, I think that’s the right answer. I wouldn’t be the me I am if I hadn’t suffered and accepted and grown through what I did as a younger man. But whether that is the truth or a comfortable lie I tell myself is something not even I know. It’s better that way, though. Knowing can kill you.

-

The present is the sum of one’s past. To change my present would mean changing the consequences of things that made me or brought me where I am. So I would change everything and nothing…

But in truth, I am a selfish man. I want things like everyone does. Money, power, glory, knowledge… Love…

So I would be lying if I said I would change absolutely nothing in my present. jayden cross or Alba Evovae, I wouldn’t mind making one of them mine. I wouldn’t mind having a penthouse suite. I wouldn’t mind having the privilege that came with being Head Scientist again. Those things aren’t necessarily minor, though.

Though logically, I should change the course I am heading toward. Depression and self-pity aren’t going to aid me in my goals, only ambition will be my friend and help me out of the grave I find myself in.

I guess I would change the direction of my heart. No more wallowing in self-pity or self-loathing. I give myself a true fighting chance.

-

My future? I want my future to be filled with discovery and learning, with successes and recognition. I want a future that I am in control of, one that I made with my own hands. A future where people recognize me for the works I have accomplished.

If I were to put it more simply… My ideal future would be one where I am achieving my goals slowly but surely.

PS. I understand the world is an uncertain place and that time is a fickle thing, only Pokemon like Dialga or Celebi truly can understand it (and I've read enough time travel fiction to know about paradoxes)... but that doesn't mean I don't want the things I want, you know?

MP EARNED

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS!

[break]

MP EARNED:
65 MP FROM PD
520 MP FROM thnks fr th mmrs

EXCHANGING:
300 MP FOR CUSTOM POKEMON TICKET
200 MP FOR MEGA STONE (Redeeming for Banettite)
50MP FOR TYPE 1 EVO

CURRENT TOTAL MP:
585MP, Spending 550MP; 35MP leftover