Chapter 28

The Planet's Paralysis

Nigel was munching on an Oran Berry as he entered the cave where the two guild apprentices were waiting.

This cave was close to his destination, but more importantly was one that only he knew about, hidden from view by a psychic barrier. Courtesy of a friend he had a makeshift home to plan and resupply.

In the cave were a few simple beds and some tools for making a fire. Frozen trees he had cut down and some fire starting rocks he found. There were also crates full of berries and supplies. He had rationed things to have decades of supplies, Since trees didn't grow here there would be a limited supply. One advantage was that the food didn't spoil at all. There were very few places to scavenge food, which is why there was a staggering number of Pokémon that turned to eating others. The only active place of food was a group of orchards and farmlands run by Ivan and his subordinates. Ivan's master had used his powers to revive a select few places to grow food. That was how he assured loyalty of his followers.

"So what happened to cause this?" Alex asked.

Nigel sighed as he sat down, poking at his fire with a stick as he began his story.

"Around 150 years ago, Temporal Tower collapsed, destroying the timestream and paralyzing the planet. While I believe it happened 150 years ago in your terms, it's important to remember that without Temporal Tower we simply had to guesstimate. The only being who knows how long it truly has been is Dialga" Nigel began.

"Who is Dialga" Blaze asked.

"Dialga is the temporal Pokémon, he controls and regulates time. When his tower collapsed though, the conduit for which his powers flow was destroyed. He was driven mad and raged out of control. Unable to fix time without his tower, he can't physically alter the past now. He is now driven only by self-preservation and is a primal dark entity. Today he is known as Primal Dialga" Nigel continued.

"So that's Ivan's boss," Alex said, remembering the Lycanroc at the stockade and what he had said.

"Yea, anyway, I was born into this dark world, my parents died protecting me from Dialga's agents who kill grass types to avoid us making more sources of plants and food. If there were enough of us we could make Dialga's servants join us. I made it my mission to fix this world and the only way to do that was to return to the past" Nigel finished.

"I still don't see why you stole the time gears" Blaze stated bluntly.

"Because if I took the time gears to Temporal Tower, I would be able to stop it from collapsing. While the time stop wave causes chaos where it's removed, it's only temporary. Once the time gears are placed in the tower, they would stop the collapse and be teleported back to their spots" Nigel replied as calmly as he could.

"If Dialga controls time then how did you get to our time?" Alex asked.

Nigel chuckled and said "Humph, that a good question, Dialga isn't the only Pokémon able to warp time. Celebi can warp time as well, and she can go to the past freely"

"Then why hasn't she fixed this?" Blaze demanded.

Nigel sighed and responded "She can't, she can only jump about 50 years on her own. The way I got back is the passage of time since it can only go to the past, Dialga can't affect it. He can sense when someone uses it though and Celebi's powers would allow him to constantly track her in the past and send his agents to attack her" Nigel admitted.

"So, I take it your heading to the past again?" Blaze asked.

"Yea, and I have to succeed this time, will you help me?" Nigel asked.

Blaze looked down and said "I really looked up to Ivan, but everything you said makes perfect sense looking back on things"

"I agree, we're with you" Alex replied.

"Alright, I'm gonna go check my supplies. We'll have some grub and then we're off to dusk forest" Nigel explained before walking toward the back of the cave.

"You sure you trust him" Blaze whispered.

"I do, mostly, we shouldn't tell him anything about me though, considering what happened with the last person I told my secret to..my name is Drake or something for now" Alex insisted in a whisper.

Blaze gave his partner a nod as Nigel came back. With a treasure bag full of berries

"Let's eat, then we'll head out" Nigel offered as he laid the bag between them.

After they had left the cave, Dusk Forest was easy. Nigel was stronger than any foe they encountered, and they eventually stopped at a clearing in the forest.

"Is the passage of time?" Blaze asked.

"No, this is where I met Celebi last time, CELEBI! IF YOU'RE HERE, SHOW YOURSELF!" Nigel yelled.

"You don't think Diagla got her do you?" Alex asked Nigel in a rushed voice.

"If Beryl and the Sabyleye caught her, could she be…" Blaze had no time to finish as a feminine chuckle echoed around them.

"Caught, me, I'm insulted!" A high pitched female voice said as a ball of pink light appeared in front of them. When the light vanished a pink Pokémon slightly smaller than an Axew was hovering in front of them.

It had round toeless feet, three-fingered hands, and clear wings on its back. It had a round head that came to a curved point like an onion. It had large baby-blue eyes with thick black rings around them, and a pair of pink antennae with green tips.

"Hello my dear Nigel, it's been a while" Celebi greeted.

"Yea, a while, I need another trip through the passage of time" Nigel requested.

"Oh, I know, slow down, let's chat a bit!

I want to spend some time with you!" Celebi offered.

"I need to finish my mission, let's get going before Ivan or the Sableye show up," Nigel said dismissively.

"All business as usual. Fair enough, besides if you would be so kind as to prevent the planet's paralysis, we will finally be spared the agony of this world of darkness. I would devote my whole life to that end!" Celebi assured him.

"I know, lead the way to the passage," Nigel asked as nicely as his hurried temper would allow.

"All three are going?" Celebi asked, giving a passing glance to Alex and Blaze.

"Yes, Ivan dragged them here with me, we are going back as a group" Nigel admitted, Celebi seemed to be staring at Alex.

"Is something wrong?" Alex asked.

"No, nothing at all, this way!" Celebi said as she cheerfully led the way.

Nigel facepalmed and said "let's go"

As the trio walked off, a small chuckle came from the bushes, one of Beryl's Sableye was watching the entire conversation.

The Ghost-type gave a toothy grin and said "Just as Ivan predicted…"

Author's note- the next chapter is one I've been waiting to write a long time!