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The large body of water was a common spot for Cetus to venture to when she needed a breather. It was always quiet save for the small plop of floaters onto the surface of those fishing for Pokemon. The area she frequented was the bank where she caught Kaitos. She especially liked to bring the Milotic with her so they could spend time together. In her life, he was the only one that accepted her unconditionally, so the Water-type had a special place in her heart. Unfortunately, due to his rare coloration, he drew too much attention, so returning to the lake was the only place she could go to escape prying eyes.

But this time, she encouraged Kaitos to go on ahead as she stalked a bit behind. She made him her eyes and ears for the moment; if there was any danger, he would alarm her immediately. For the five minutes it took her to venture through the thicket that led to her spot, Cetus found the silence to be nerve-wrecking, despite the lack of anything from the Milotic. The closer she neared, the Galactic grunt did find that she was hearing something, but it was soft and gentle like a coo. Was that Kaitos?

Turning about from behind a trunk caused Cetus to pause. Before her was a rather peculiar sight, but confirmed her suspicions that it was likely a trap. A woman she had never seen before was petting Kaitos lovingly under the chin as he, in turn, nuzzled her temple. She muttered something to him, let out a chuckle, and blinked when the Water-type parted from her and looked ahead to the Galactic grunt. Then, the woman turned, and suddenly, Cetus felt her heart and stomach drop from the sight before her.

The woman looked just like her.

The silence between them felt like hours, but it was mere moments as the self-professed future Shinju collected her thoughts. Cetus made herself comfortable at the base of a tree, grumbling inwardly when she realized she had forgotten her cigarettes at home. She was shaking like a leaf in a hurricane; the words from the woman causing her to self-doubt everything she's come to know of Team Galactic then and there.

The crime syndicate hardly had the funds or tech to even put together communicators with minutes-long battery life. How the heck did they achieve time travel then to supposedly send her back to the past? Was she missing something here? Unless this woman was a liar?

Her teal eyes slid to a face that was a direct reflection of her own. Doubt clouded her belief here as well; it was frightening how her looks was mirrored in the other, even down to the hair and eye color -- even the same earrings. And Kaitos even obeyed her commands. What truly was going on?

Suddenly, future Shinju released her chin from her forefinger and thumb and glanced to Cetus again. Taking a deep breath, she began, "I'm from the future, as I had said, but a future where Team Galactic managed to achieve time travel."

Cetus's guess made her shirk back a bit. Rarely, if ever, was she on-point with such things. "Okay?" she blinked, "If that... is true, and you are me from the future, how'd you do it? Did they manage to get control of Palkia and Dialga? Was it some kind of tech?"

Future Shinju averted her eyes. "I can't say," she replied. "If I do, I'd be giving away too much. So, please, settle for that they achieved what they wanted to do, and you didn't. You desire to renew your past and prevent your bankruptcy fell through because you turned to, in your opinion, bigger and better things. They put you and other Galactic members in charge of the time-travel project and, with them, you became a powerful force to be reckoned with."

Cetus felt a shiver down her spine. She never, once, mentioned her past about being a company owner and how she fell from grace when her avarice overcame her rational thinking. "What... W-what do you mean?"

"They became akin to gods, Shinju. They could revive the dead, tweak moments of the past, and even... Even determine the future. They rose to fame and crushed weaker teams in their path. Aqua, Magma, Plasma, Flare, even Team Rocket don't exist anymore. Everything, and I mean everything, is about Team Galactic to the point it is frightening. You didn't care, though. You reveled in your new-found power and intelligence. You could do what no other human being could do -- you could delete the existence of anything that wronged you, so you did..." Future Shinju reached a hand out and cupped Kaitos's chin again, frowning into the forlorn Water-type's face. "And it was the worst mistake you ever made. You lost everything -- even the Pokemon who loved you more than themselves over the petty belief they were tools. And you couldn't undo what you did. They were gone because you thought they were useless. Your went so mad you turned sane and realized the mistakes you've made."

Cetus swallowed thickly. This was so much to take in, but future Shinju did not stop, not for a second.

"For years, I've been going back in time to warn the past me of what I did and stop her. I've had this conversation an innumerable amount of times, each different but uniquely the same, only to return to the future with hopes that, somehow, passed the fog of disbelief I encounter each time, I listened to what I had to say."

The Galactic grunt tightened a fist. "Okay, well, um, l-let's say for a second I do believe what you're saying and I keep it in mind. Is that all you're asking for? If so, can I leave?"

Future Shinju let out a bemused chuckle. "Actually, no, there's more I have to say. Well, want, actually... Shinju, I want you to leave Team Galactic."

"What?"

The other woman's finger tapped idly on her forearm as she replied, "I think, though I'm only speculating, if I leave Team Galactic before their plans come to fruition, the future I created won't come to pass. I was singular to their plans so, if I'm removed, maybe... Just maybe nothing will happen. It is only a hope, though."

Silence met Cetus's lips again. She was thoroughly confused, but one thing was clear: This woman, she, wanted her to leave Team Galactic. The thought almost made her panic. How could she simply give up the life she had been attached to for years? How could she move forward without looking back on the terrible things she'd done?

"Impossible," she scoffed. "Do you really think it is that easy? That I can just disappear without them knowing where I went? s**t... I'm a fricking coordinator, for Arceus's sake. My face is plastered on every television that exists when I enter a contest. I can't just dump everything I've worked for 'til now on such a stupid hope!"

"I wasn't expecting it to be an instant thing," future Shinju replied before touching her locks. "One step at a time, Shinju. You must change yourself before you can change the future. Do you understand?"

Unconsciously, one of her hands rose and touched a fringe of her own hair. "I think," she responded.