No reviews? Really, guys? Where'd you all go? Oh, well. Maybe you'll review this time. If this is some attempt to get me to write Messiah of Time first, then know this- It isn't getting published until either it, this, or the Spirit's Lament is finished! So you might as well review, 'cause then I write faster!

Chapter I

The Mission

Star POV

I looked around at the city I found myself in. The buildings were all rather like country houses, and, though they were made of stone, they all seemed to be built, rather, of pure, solidified grace. The morning sun glimmered off their surfaces, and the whole place seemed illuminated with its own light.

Suddenly I noticed a human - like being standing on the balcony of the nearest (and largest) house. He was taller than most men, however, and his ears were sharply pointed. "Hello," I hailed him. "My name is Star. Will you honor me with yours?"

The being smiled. "I am Elrond," he said simply. "I have been expecting you, Destroyer."

I nodded. I'd been sent as a Hero, so it was likely someone had foreseen my coming. "I see you are familiar with my title," I said. "But I doubt either of us can claim to knowledge of the other's species. I am one of the Pokemon Charizard. My companions, too, are Pokemon of different kinds. What are you?"

"I am an elf," replied Elrond. "And I much desire to speak with you on all this. But not now." Here his face turned grave. "The hobbit, Frodo Baggins, who bears the One Ring of Sauron, is with my daughter, Arwen Evenstar, and they are now both under attack by the Nazgûl."

My eyes narrowed. "That's not good," I decided. I thought for a moment, and then asked, "Where?"

"Down the river Bruinen, at the ford," said the elf. "But I cannot ask you –"

"Get my companions into beds, please," I told him, "I will return when I have done this." And so saying, I rose into the air with a flap of my wings, and flew down the river.

I soon reached the Ford of Bruinen, and there I saw another one of the pointy-eared elves – this one a female – on a horse – I knew what horses were from my human life – with a very small person on the saddle with her. On the other side of the river, nine beings in black on black horses faced the two down. I could already tell who was on Elrond's side, and I wasn't about to help those black riders.

With a fearsome roar, I dove. The wind whistled past my face as I flew down at breakneck speed to meet the riders, who, I guessed, were the Nazgûl Elrond had mentioned. They looked up and raised their swords, and I could see the evil aura around the blades (thanks to my training with the Cresselian Convention). They really stood no chance though.

I could fly.

I lifted out of the dive and hovered, just out of their reach. They swung, slashed, and stabbed, but to no avail. Son they started cursing me in their fell voices.

I grinned.

The next instant, fire rained down on the Nazgûl as I used Flamethrower. A single lance of white-hot oblivion lanced down and struck among them.

They seemed uninjured, somehow. I could smell their cloaks burning, but there was no scent of scorched flesh (other than one of the horses, who had gotten burned in the ribs slightly) tainting the air. They did seem afraid, however. Turning, they rode madly away.

I allowed myself a slight chuckle. That had been almost ludicrously easy. Then, turning, I faced the elf and small person, whom I assumed were Arwen and Frodo.

Frodo seemed to have fallen off the horse, and Arwen was standing over him, her sword raised and pointed at me. "Begone, beast!" she cried. "Leave, ere I smite you down with the power that is in me!"

I looked at her dully. "Is this some new kind of politeness, greeting allies with sharp metal things?" I deadpanned.

She blinked. "What do you mean, beast? Whose ally are you? Who would ally themselves – nay – who could ally themselves with the dragons of the mountains?"

My eyes narrowed. "I wish you'd stop just calling me 'Beast'." I said. "I have a name. Star. Four letters, one syllable. Not too hard, is it? Come now, say it with me. Star. You're not saying it."

Now she was looking at me as though I was insane. I sighed. "All right, we'll talk later. What's wrong with the hobbit?"

"He has been stabbed by a Morgul blade, wielded by the Witch King, whom you just defeated," she said. "You swear that you are no enemy to us?"

"On my word as an Explorer," I said, landing beside her and looking down on Frodo's pale face. "What can be done for him?"

"My father can cure him," she said. "But in a few hours, it will be too late."

"I can fly faster than your horse can run," I said. "I have just come from Rivendell, where I met your father, oh Arwen Evenstar. I will take him to Elrond's home."

She looked at me, as though deciding whether or not to trust me. Then she shook her head. "No." she said, softly. "This hobbit is the hope for all the free races of Middle Earth. I will not jeopardize him so. I will take him. You may come."

I nodded, not at all surprised. "As you say, Lady Arwen." Then I flew up above the trees and followed her as her horse galloped, with them on it, back to Rivendell.

Grovyle POV – A few hours later

I awoke. I was lying in a soft heather bed, with my head on a downy pillow. Definitely the most comfortable I'd ever been. Both on Arcea and among the Clans, we'd had beds of straw or moss. But I couldn't lie around forever. I sat up. To my left, I saw Celebi, sleeping peacefully. To my right were Dusknoir and Algator, both also fast asleep. All three of them were on beds like mine.

Where are Star and Dialga? I wondered. I have to find them. Perhaps they have answers.

I swung my legs over the left side of the bed and stood up. Leaning down, I pecked Celebi on the forehead. She mumbled something unintelligible and turned over, a smile now on her face. I grinned, and, turning, walked out of the door.

I found myself outside, in the main courtyard (had I known it, it was the same place as we appeared). And there was Dialga, his massive bulk lying on its side, quite as asleep as the others. And there was Star, talking to a strange, pointy-eared humanlike being. I made my way over to them. Star spotted me as came towards him, and pointed me out to the other.

"And here he is now!" he said, continuing his conversation. "Lord Elrond, this is my friend and companion, Grovyle. Grovyle, this is the Elf-Lord Elrond. He's the master of this town of Rivendell."

I bowed slightly to Elrond, and he smiled at me. Then I turned back to Star. "What happened?" I asked him quietly. "We get ripped out of a Tannhauser, and then I wake up here. I guess it wasn't natural turbulence?"

Star smirked. "No, it wasn't. This world – Middle Earth – needs our help. They called for a Hero, and Arceus answered with us. We need to counteract… er… well, he's here, Grovyle. He shouldn't be, but he is. The Nightmare Lord."

I took a step backward, stunned. "What? You're kidding! We just beat him!"

"I know," said Star. "But since Dialga needs to charge his power before we can leave, I, at least, plan to help this world out while we're here."

"Me too," I said. "Anything to beat that demon of a Nightmare."

He nodded. "I agree. There's supposed to be a council here in a few days. People will be arriving over the next few days from everywhere. We'll go to the council and see what we can do. Agreed?"

"Agreed," I said. "Now, shall we go wake the others?"

Celebi POV

Grovyle shook me awake. The bed I found myself on was so soft I almost closed my eyeds again as soon as they'd opened. I managed to look up at him, though.

"Is everyone all right?" I asked. "Where are we? What happened?"

"Everyone's fine. We're in a world called Middle Earth. We got sucked out of the Tannhauser to here," he answered in quick succession. Then he asked, "Are you feeling all right?"

"I'm fine," I told him. "Seriously. But I'd be happier if I knew what was going on."

"I just woke up, so I don't know much," he answered. "But here's what I do. When we fell out of the Tannhauser, we landed here. And, by coincidence or destiny, this is where Darkrai is, too. He's allied with this world's Dark Lord, Sauron, for mutual strength.

"Star and I have decided that the two of us, at least, are going to join with this world's heroes to counteract him. That's where things stand now. Any more decisions are going to wait until the Council in a few days. Any clearer now?"

"A little," I whispered, yawning. Hopping off the bed, I caught myself with my wings before I hit the ground, and hovered up to Grovyle's face level. I looked around. Star had woken Algator, and they were now explaining to Dusknoir the situation.

I looked back at Grovyle. Suddenly the thoughts that had been fermenting in my brain burst forth. We were in another world, not our own. And now we had to save it.

"Not again," I moaned, sinking into his arms.

See you soon, all! I'll be back! Read and Review!