With my stomach sated and my mind rested, I felt like I could handle anything. As Grovyle helps me up the tree, I focus on all the best parts of my life. Things might be frightening right now, but I can get through it!

"So Aubrey, how do you feel about fighting Dialga?" Celebi asks casually.

What? Fight Primal Dialga? She might as well ask me if I'm ready to die! There are rumors of those that fought him in combat, and none of them have happy endings. These rumors aren't about weak pokemon either; I'm talking about tyranitar, charizards, alakazams, dragonites, and all types of fierce and strong pokemon. They were all known for speaking out against Primal Dialga, and they paid in blood.

Seeing my horrified look, Celebi quickly assures, "I don't mean actually fighting him in combat! I mean that you are going to be defying his orders in order to restart time. Do you think you can do that?"

I swallow thickly. Can I do it? I...I'm not sure I can; he's too powerful. If he sent his lackeys after me, I'd be a goner. But...my mom...I have to do it for my mom! Mom and Jamie will come back if I pull this off! Then, we can find Luca and help him get through his problems. We'd be a family again! We'd be a family again...I need to remember that; that's my goal. I repeat my new mantra in my head a few times before I look Celebi in the eyes.

"Bring it on."

Celebi beams at me, "You're gutsy; you know that? Well then, let's get this show on the road!"

A smile tugs at my lips as I reply, "So now can you tell me how I fit into all of this?"

Celebi falters for a moment, "Oh. I forgot to tell you that part, didn't I? Hahaha...sorry. Okay, well how should I phrase this?" She thinks for a moment before her eyes light up. "Okay, so you know how you get visions when you touch an item sometimes? Well those items are usually linked to Time Gears in some way. In my mom's 600 page essay, she neglected to actually say where the Time Gears were, so we have no clue where most of them are. One of the Planetary Investigation's agents stumbled upon clues of one being in Crystal Cave, but we've yet to see an actual Time Gear."

"Planetary Investigation?" I query.

Vera answers this one, "It's a group of pokemon and maybe one or two humans. They investigate the cause of the planet's paralysis and possible solutions. Celebi, my son, and I are all agents. It's actually Planetary Investigation Team, but Celebi says 'PI sounds better than PIT.'"

I nod and gesture for Celebi to continue, which she does, "That's where you come in. We get leads to where the Time Gears are, and you explore the area and see if your ability is triggered since it's triggered by Time Gears. Vera and our team of analyzers hope to glean a bit more information on the flow of time and how to restore it by actually studying a real Time Gear. Do you think that you can do that for us?"

"Wait a moment before you make a decision, Aubrey." Vera interjects gravely. Despite how easy Celebi makes it sound, you will be putting yourself at risk. Should it be known that one of the few remaining humans alive is helping in the effort of restoring time, you will be hunted. If you are captured, you will be tortured and executed. You will have to fight for your life should you be found by any pokemon loyal to Primal Dialga. You won't be safe should you choose to do this. Do you really wish to help our cause?"

We'd be a family again. We'd be a family again. Do not forget about your dream of reuniting your family, Aubrey! Do not chicken out of this because you are afraid of death! I gather up every ounce of courage in me and shove away the icy grip of fear in order to answer, "That won't change my answer. I said, 'Bring it on'."

Vera smiles softly and takes my hand. "Thank you," she whispers. "You have no idea what a kindness you've done. Thank you."

I give her a weak smile, fear creeping up to grab my heart again. I push it aside and answer, "Don't thank me yet. I'm guessing my first assignment is Crystal Cave?"

Vera replies a bit hoarsely, "Erm, right your assignment. I suppose now is as good as ever to have you go to Crystal Cave. I suggest that you wait a bit in order to prepare yourself. There is no way to tell how long you'll be gone, so make preparations accordingly."

"I'll keep that in mind," I assure her. "Hey Celebi, mind helping me pack?"

"Sure! Are you going to discuss with Grovyle what to take?" Celebi asks lightly.

I shoot her a weird look, "Why would I do that? It's not like he's coming with me."

"Well who else is going to save your sorry behind?" an all too familiar voice questions sarcastically. "Ma said I'm accompanying you, so we are stuck together."

He's actually behaving a bit better than usual. Perhaps Vera threatened him or something like that; I don't think us being somewhat amicable during lunch would really help his behavior problems. Either way, I'll enjoy this excursion a lot more if he is being half as civil as he is right now instead of how he is normally. If he plays nice, then so will I.

Nevertheless, I still tease him, "I don't know Grovyle... Celebi's looking pretty tough..."

"Hmph."

Celebi laughs, "You two are so funny!"

"Nice to know we are so amusing," we deadpan in unison.

Celebi giggles some more but says nothing. Instead, she flies off to get us some berries for the road. Grovyle gives me a small pack to carry some stuff in. It's only half as big as my old backpack, and I inwardly sulk at my loss of weapon and the few earthly possessions that I have. Well, I had earthly possessions.

I shake my head slightly to ward off those thoughts. Right now, I have a job to do! Grovyle leads me to the inventory and leaves me to my own devices with only the warning to "not go crazy." I didn't intend to take more than the essentials anyway! I look over the selection with a critical eye. With no idea of what's to come, I decide arm myself with a few silver spikes and a broad but very limited selection of berries and seeds. By the time I've finished deciding what I would need, Celebi had returned. She went to Grovyle first and gave him half of the berries in her arms while blushing heavily. She then runs over to me.

"Aubrey!" she huffs. "I got these for you. Please use them to stay safe!"

I glance over at my bag. I had left enough room for about five items just in case we stumble upon something we need, but Celebi's pleading face had me filling up those slots with the sitrus and lum berries that she had scavenged. Her beaming smile assures me that I made the right decision, but her hug catches me by surprise.

"You and Grovyle better come back safe and sound; I'll never forgive you if you two don't come back! Don't forget to have each other's back and work together so that you two and come back in one piece," she chokes out as she fights back tears.

I pat her back lightly as I respond, "Listen here, Celebi. Grovyle and I are stubborn as hell. We won't just up and die on you, okay?"

"Okay," Celebi sniffles. "Are you done? I want to hang out before you guys leave."

"I'm good, Celebi. Let's go!"

Celebi yells her delight before taking me by the hand and rushing over to Grovyle. We somehow manage to separate him from his own backpack with the promise that we leave him alone to pack when he wakes up. We quickly agree, but Celebi makes him promise to at least say good bye before we set off.

Celebi treats us both to a dinner of extremely rare nanab berries at the very top of the tree. The sweetness is such a treat to my tongue, and I savor every single bite as I try not to look down. Celebi looks so proud of herself for getting the meal, so I can't help but thank her repeatedly and tell her how tasty the berries are. Her eyes light up with every praise.

Other than the few odd comments, dinner is eaten in relative silence with a few cheerful comments from Celebi. It's comfortable and reminds me of meals with Luca. Luca... I miss you so much. I hope you're doing okay out there because I fully intend to find you one day and get the family back together. I'm doing fine, but it'd be nice to know that you're okay after that episode. The emotional pain... I wish I could help you through that.

Celebi's voice pulls me back to the present, "Aubrey, are you okay? What are you thinking about?"

"I'm fine, Celebi; I'm not really thinking about much," two lies in one sentence.

Not at all pleased with my answer, Celebi presses on, "But you looked so sad!"

"...I really don't want to talk about it. It's painful."

"Friends help friends get through pain! Please let me help you!"

"I'll tell you when we get back, Celebi. Please don't push the issue!"

"But-"

"Celebi, stop." Grovyle interrupts. "She'll tell you when we get back. You'll know soon enough."

Celebi looks crestfallen, but she agrees to stop. I nod my thanks to Grovyle who tips his head up in acknowledgement. Even though he's a huge douche most of the time, he kind of has my back I guess. It's not really a lot, but I suppose I could start trusting him a bit more.

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Me: Okay! I got it in!

Grovyle: Just barely…

Me: (sweet voice) You know what, Grovyle, you're right. You deserve a break from being right and amazing all the time. Why don't you go over there (points to room) and rest up?

Grovyle: (smirks) I think I will. (Goes into room) What the f-

Kate: Thanks for getting him into the medieval torture room!

Me: No problem! Just try to make sure that you beat some manners into him!

Aubrey: (looks at torture room) A reviewer gave you all this stuff?

Me: Pretty cool, right? Anyway readers, I hope you enjoyed and please review!