The sun peeked through the coastal mist as Joseph and Steven stepped out of Slateport City, the hustle of the port fading behind them. The paved stone roads gave way to gentle dirt trails winding north toward Mauville, bordered by meadows, scattered berry trees, and the faint sparkle of the ocean just barely visible to the east.
"So," Steven asked, walking beside his brother, "do you think we'll meet Wattson in Mauville?"
Joseph gave a quiet nod. "He's a public figure. Gym leader, inventor, and tied closely to Devon's power grid contracts. You'll like him."
"I heard he laughs even when he loses battles."
Joseph smirked faintly. "That part's true."
Route 110: Echoes of Adventure
Route 110 stretched before them like a gentle artery through the wilderness—wide enough for travelers but still edged with wild grass, where trainers waited for casual battles and Pokémon chirped in tall stalks of green.
Joseph moved silently, Eevee walking beside him now rather than perched on his shoulder. The shiny fox's silver fur gleamed under the dappled sunlight. Steven was happily chatting about recent scientific articles and upcoming fossil studies, completely at ease.
Then a familiar voice echoed from up ahead.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt—again!"
Joseph's pace slowed.
Ash Ketchum.
Ahead on the bridge, Joseph spotted him, May, Brock, and Max riding rental bikes across the long Cycling Road bridge that arched overhead. A small battle had broken out just below it—Ash and a passing trainer locked in a quick, excited match. Sparks lit the sky briefly before fading.
Joseph said nothing, only observed. Steven noticed.
"You always stop when he's nearby."
"Not because I want to," Joseph replied softly. "Because destiny likes him. I don't want to get too close… or too far."
Steven didn't understand completely. But he nodded, sensing the weight behind his brother's calm words.
The Hidden Trail and Team Aqua's Whispers
They didn't take the Cycling Road, instead opting for the hidden footpath beneath it. The lower trail ran parallel to the bridge but cut through forest groves and grassy patches. A few hikers greeted them along the way, and Joseph nodded politely. One offered a battle. He declined.
Near a creek, they paused to rest. Steven unpacked berry snacks while Eevee lapped at the cool water.
Joseph's PokéNav buzzed. A secure message flickered on the screen.
[FROM: Devon Intelligence Division]Suspicious vessel passed through southern tides last night. Likely Aqua. Coordinates placed it between Slateport and New Mauville sectors.Local authorities unaware.Advise quiet observation.
Joseph exhaled through his nose. He turned to Steven.
"You ever heard of New Mauville?"
Steven blinked. "Only rumors. Supposedly an abandoned power plant project under the city. Dad said the facility was too unstable to finish."
Joseph stared at the trees ahead.
"Maybe not as abandoned as people think."
Campfire Conversations
They set camp near dusk. The orange sky painted the woods in gold as a small fire crackled in a fire-safe ring. Eevee rested curled up on Joseph's lap, twitching occasionally in her sleep. Steven was sketching diagrams of a strange rock they'd found on the route—a shard of something crystalline, possibly tied to Mega Evolution.
"Do you think we'll find one for Eevee?" Steven asked.
Joseph looked down at the small silver creature nestled against him.
"She'll choose her own path. But yes. Someday."
Steven hesitated, then said, "You said something earlier. About staying close but not too close to Ash. What did you mean?"
Joseph leaned back, arms behind his head, staring up at the night sky.
"That boy's at the center of things. Always has been. Trouble, luck, legend. Wherever he goes, stories happen. I've seen it."
"So why not help him?"
"Because sometimes, the best way to protect a story… is from the shadows."
Steven frowned thoughtfully. "You always say things like that. Like you've seen everything already."
Joseph didn't answer immediately.
"I've seen enough to know how dangerous the world can be."
He reached into his coat and pulled out another special Poké Ball—one of the emerald-green kinds used in his Hoenn PC system.
"This is Flygon," he said, showing it to Steven. "Caught in the Mirage Tower. Trained under sandstorms and sun. Ground/Dragon. Maxed stats. Never lost a desert battle."
Steven's eyes lit up.
"That's amazing!"
"I trained it in Hoenn ROM hours. Before this world."
Steven blinked, confused. "Before?"
Joseph smiled, small and unreadable. "Nothing. Just… old memories."
Morning Shadows
They woke early the next morning and continued north. The forest thinned into grassy hills, and soon the powerlines of Mauville City came into view—tall steel towers feeding energy down the route.
As they walked, a flash of movement caught Joseph's eye.
A figure in an Aqua grunt uniform sprinted across the route, ducking into the brush. He was clutching something—small, box-shaped, metallic. Steven started to chase after him, but Joseph held out an arm.
"Let him go."
"But—"
"It's a trap."
A moment later, an explosion echoed through the woods—not lethal, but loud enough to disorient. Several wild Pokémon screeched and scattered.
Joseph crouched, checking the nearby ground.
"No shrapnel. Just noise. They wanted to clear the area."
Steven looked sick. "What are they doing?"
Joseph stood slowly.
"Whatever it is, we'll find out. One step at a time."
Arrival at Mauville
By midday, the city gates welcomed them. Mauville had changed—expanding upward in the early stages of modernization. The square bustled with construction, solar panels, and updated Poké Centers.
At the city entrance, Wattson himself was laughing with two kids who'd just lost a friendly gym match. His booming voice carried across the square.
"HA! You almost had me! Come back next week, and maybe I'll go easier on ya!"
Steven waved. "Mr. Wattson!"
The man turned and beamed. "Well if it isn't Devon's golden boys! Joseph and Steven, the pride of Rustboro!"
Joseph shook his hand with a polite nod.
"We'll be in town for a bit. Thought we'd visit the gym and maybe… New Mauville."
Wattson's grin faltered just a little.
"That old place? Not much there but old wires and wild Voltorb."
Joseph's eyes met his.
"Still worth a look."
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