Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Infrared

Chapter 14: Sada and the Paradox Disaster

Song: "This is the Future" - Epic North

Just when she was about to doze off, Sada heard Arven and Mabosstiff approaching her. She crossed her arms and said, "I'm sorry, but Sada is asleep right now."

"Really?" Arven asked behind her. "Then how come you're talking?"

Miraidon started to get up, but Sada motioned for him to lie back down.

She shivered when another flashback played in her head: the screaming Pokémon and the rocks falling on top of them. "I'm not gonna talk, Arven. I want to go home." After all, the outside world was no place for a useless AI.

"Mom, stop acting like a child." Arven placed his hand on Sada's shoulder. "I know there's something you're not telling us. Believe me, we're just here to help."

Sada wiggled her shoulder free. "No, I don't wanna talk about it. Please, Arven, I'm tired. Just leave me alone." That wasn't entirely a lie.

A gush of air told Sada that Arven had stood back up. "Fine," he said. "For your information, though, this isn't a good first step if you want to be human."

Oh, Sada did. That was all she wanted—to frolic with the Pokémon and her son without worrying about Infrared. She wanted to feel another emotion besides fear. Why would he do this to Miraidon and her?

Sada took a deep breath. Arven was her son, so she should be able to tell him, right? Not everything, though.

She pushed herself to her hands and knees and sat back. Sada faced Arven, who turned to her. "I went to the far past to study the Koraidon."

He got down with her. "Did the time machine take you there? Celebi?"

"No." Sada's head dropped below her shoulders. "We... have a power—Miraidon and me." She stroked Miraidon's head and sighed. "This... power... brought you to me, but the first thing I did with it was travel to the time of Koraidon." Sada chewed on her nails. She couldn't do this.

"Mom... what happened?" Arven's monotone voice helped Sada understand he wasn't mad at her. "Is somebody hurting you?"

"No," Sada quickly stated, but she still felt a chill run down her spine. "It's what I saw, Arven, when I was there. So many Pokémon... dead, just like that. I never knew how harsh the world is. Oh, it was horrible!"

"Natural disaster, maybe?" Arven guessed. "Mom, it's okay. You can tell me."

"Let me just show you." Sada searched her memories for a bit before she found the one she wanted. She hesitated but pressed the button in her right ear again anyway. The holographic screen reappeared in front of her and Arven. They got comfy and fixed their eyes on it.

***

Sixty-six million years ago

Sada, Miraidon, and the herd of Koraidon cut across a meadow filled with yellow and pink flowers. The shadows of the rock towers in the valley created different paths that all led to the watering hole. It was at the base of a small mountain. Flying Paradox Pokémon dropped out of the cloudless sky, trying to beat their friends to the watering hole.

Sada and Miraidon stood off to the side and observed the Koraidon, who started to drink.

"Miraidon, why don't you go play with them?" Sada suggested. "I still have some Paradox Pokémon I want to study."

Miraidon scoffed. He turned his back to the Koraidon and Sada.

"Hey, don't give me that." If Sada felt anger, now would be the perfect opportunity to showcase it. "Your friends are over there. They may help your disposition."