A/N:

Now the aftermath of the confession, and finally some more insight as to what's happening back at the town.

Also keep in mind that if you have followed or favorited, as well as reviewed, this story, then you can enter the free one-shot drawings that I hold. As of now, there is only one person entered.

Special thanks to Orthros for beta-reading the chapter before publication.

"…" - Spoken dialogue

Italics - Character thoughts

'Italics' - Telepathic dialogue

/\/\/\ - Lemon Scene

Chapter 17

— — — — —

Selina

— — — — —

She woke to a gentle breeze, alone in the tent. Selina yawned, reluctantly rolling over and pushing herself onto her feet. Sleepily, she made her way out of the tent, looking for the lucario who was nowhere to be found. "Liam?" she called out, but no reply came. Wouldn't he be waiting for her? Unless… The very thought threatened to bring tears to her eyes. Had it all just been a dream? Her own fanciful imagination - could it have finally gotten the better of her? No… please tell me… The umbreon couldn't bear the idea.

But then he appeared atop the temple, carrying as many flowers as he could possibly hold. Liam looked at her as she stood there, then just shook his head. He descended, and she walked forward to meet him. "What's… going on?" she asked.

"I was trying to make it back before you woke up," he said quietly. "…I'd even planned it out so well… I was gonna put these all around you, and…"

"Aww, that's so sweet!" She got onto her hind legs, embracing the lucario and causing him to drop the flowers. "Oh, I do love you, Liam. I was scared that it had all been nothing but a dream…"

"Funny you say that. I seem to smell more like you right now than I do myself…" He smiled, then pressed his muzzle to her own. She closed her eyes as their tongues brushed across each other, and they stayed that way for a moment. Liam drew back, then planted his muzzle into the crook of her neck.

"I cannot wait to tell everyone back home," Selina said. "I know Flora already knew, and I get the feeling that Eleanor did too…"

"Ah, Eleanor," Liam said with a laugh. "You know, she's really gonna tear into me when I come clean."

"Probably," Selina giggled. "But she cares for you and looks out for you. Just run any ideas by her to begin with and she won't get upset."

"Of course. Legendaries - always wanna be in control," he joked. "But yeah, I'll get better about it, if only because you asked me to." She nuzzled him appreciatively before releasing her embrace. Immediately she missed the contact, but there were things to do today other than getting intimate with her partner. No, there would be plenty of time for that later.

They sat down and had breakfast, sharing the berries in more ways than one as they periodically kissed. Less than a day into all this and she already couldn't get enough of the lucario, nor he of her. All this anticipation for so long…

"You've got something right there," Liam said.

"Oh?" she asked

"Here, I'll get it for you." He leaned in and licked beside her mouth, and she couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, alright, that was sly. I'll get you back for that!"

"Really? Well I look forward to it." He ran his hand along her side, drawing her close into another hug. "Are you ready to head out?"

"Yeah, let's go see Dialga," she said. "And climb those… fifty thousand stairs…"

"Eh, we've done worse."

They went about packing up the camp, and Liam folded up the tent before tying it shut. Instead, though, he put it on his own back. "Oh come on," she said. "It's not really a bother…"

"Then you wouldn't mind if I carried it, right?" he asked. "To be fair, it is lighter than all the bedding that I dropped."

"Alright then, have it your way," the umbreon said, though more amused than anything else.

The two of them climbed the stairs after pausing in front of the 'grave' once more. In a year's time, they would visit again. Truth be told, she had more than a few questions regarding the supposedly non-existent future, and had ever since they had spoken about the matter when riding over here. But she kept those thoughts to herself in fear of raising false hopes within her mate. Ha… my mate… Even the very thought of the word made her fidgety, but she smiled nonetheless. Unbeknownst to Selina, her tail had started wagging.

Once they stepped foot onto the Rainbow Stoneship, it had started trembling, and the mystical stone began to levitate. Liam took a seat towards the center as it climbed higher and higher, and she sat against him. "Ah, you know we're safe," he said, putting his arm around her.

"I know… that still doesn't change my opinion on heights, though…" She looked up at him, a playful grin stretched on her face. "So, are you gonna keep me safe?"

"Always," he said, kissing her cheek.

— — — — —

Rachel

— — — — —

"Good work, guys. I think that's about enough for today." The police had gotten far more skilled ever since the training had started, and between her and Raymond's crew, they were learning from the best. Rachel had divided them into groups based upon similar body styles and weights and had gone over some of the more broad tactics that worked regardless of typing.

But they were becoming a force to be reckoned with, and a massive improvement from where they were before. Pretty soon, they wouldn't need to rely on hiring bounty hunters and hired fighters to protect the town - they'd finally be able to manage on their own. Now, though, there was about to be a lot more to protect…

The road to Capim Town had already been completed, and the one between Treasure Town and Roseview was already nearly finished. Despite Roseview's smaller size, Tristan and the others had found a way to make very good usage of the area. Cecilia had traveled to the small village and had done a bit of research into the surrounding areas, finding that the nearby soil was perfect for agricultural purposes. While food was not going to be a concern for some time to come, it wouldn't be long before Capim Town wasn't the only settlement that they'd need to provide for. Tristan suspected that food had been the primary reason that Desert Village had joined Valmor due to their inability to grow most crops on their own.

Meanwhile, there was starting to be a debate as to whether or not they should reclassify Treasure Town as a city. There wasn't a set cutoff in terms of population, but it was starting to get big enough to the point that maybe the name change might be in order. The population was currently a little bit under eleven thousand, but far more growth was expected in the upcoming months.

None of that was her concern, though. All she really was focusing on was the missions and the police training. Though it wasn't as exciting as tracking down and apprehending criminals, the rescue missions with the other members of the team was rewarding in a completely different way. She was glad that she was able to assist the ampharos, and his leg seemed to be healing quite nicely. Gavin and Bianca headed back to Capim Town shortly after they had arrived, and the lucario hoped that they were doing well.

In the meantime, though, there were other matters to attend to. Rachel needed to purchase a few things for the house, groceries being the first priority. She left the police station and headed towards the market, recognizing a few new shops along the way. Yeah… there's no way they'll be calling this a town much longer…

After Rachel had purchased the few things she needed, she noticed Kangaskhan in front of her shop, sweeping away the dirt brought up by customers. She made her way towards the storage building, greeting the large normal-type.

"Rachel, wasn't it?" Kangaskhan asked.

"Yes ma'am. How have you been?"

"Things have been great. I haven't seen you all in awhile," she said.

"Yeah, we've been pretty busy, that's for sure," Rachel replied. "We barely see Tristan anymore, especially since he's out recruiting new settlements into Valmor, and Liam and Selina will still be at the Hidden Land for another two weeks."

"That's right, I remember him talking about that awhile back. Those two lovebirds head out for a month while the rest of the team is out working hard," she said with a laugh. "No, but seriously, they deserve it."

"Wait… what?"

"Oh, you didn't know? It's been an open-secret for years…"

"I… did not…" Rachel admitted, slightly defeated.

"Aww, I recognize that look. I've had it myself a time or two before. Don't you worry about a thing, honey - the right guy is out there for you somewhere."

"Ah, it's okay. I'm a big girl," the lucario said with a slightly forced laugh. "I figured that there was a shot, and I was gonna take it. But maybe I was mistaken…" Kangaskhan finished the chore at hand and set the broom onto the counter. She leaned against it, smiling at Rachel as she continued.

"Of course, there's a chance that we're wrong about it. I haven't personally seen them display any signs of affection, so you may still have a chance. But I do not want you to get your hopes up, only for them to be shattered later. But enough of that talk, how are things going with you? I heard that you've started training the police force." Rachel nodded.

"Yep. They're getting a lot better, that's for sure."

"Good to hear. I remember looking at some of those guys a year ago, and I'm pretty sure I could've taken a few of them myself," she said with a laugh. "But I'm glad that you have found something to do here. Things are changing here, and I was uncertain when I'd heard of the election, but… I'm impressed with what you all have managed to do…"

"Ah, well I appreciate it ma'am," Rachel said. "But really, it's mostly Tristan. Him and Liam from what I've heard. At least, that's what everyone says. I've heard some talk that he's running a lot more than he's letting on…"

"I wouldn't be surprised," the normal-type said. "That boy is always hiding something. He's a real sweetheart, though. I've known him ever since he came over here and he's always trying to look out for everyone. He's the reason I haven't gone out of business…"

"What?" Rachel asked, surprised.

"He technically owns my store. He and Selina found some sort of big treasure down in some ruins down South, and ever since then he's purchased everything from Sharpedo Bluff to Duskull's."

"Wait… he… owns the bank?"

"Mhm. Funny, isn't it? That same boy that came here without anything but his name, and now he's worth millions."

"…Damn…"

"I've never seen someone as generous as he is, though. He doesn't charge me a thing, and I was still struggling to make the payments on the property before he bought it. He has been incredibly wise with his money, and yet it doesn't mean a thing to him…" She looked around to make sure that nobody was listening in, before speaking quieter to the lucario. "Word around town is that he's been the one paying for some of these big stunts that Tristan's pulling."

"Oh? Really? What makes you think that?"

"People have been talking. There's no way the monthly taxes are enough to pay for fields, roads, and police training all in the same month. He's someone who could afford it, and given that his subordinate is the one in charge…"

"That's an interesting theory," Rachel admitted. "But it would make sense."

"Personally, I don't care which one of them is calling the shots. I just hope that they keep making the decisions that they are." She went inside her store, then came out with a small version of the banner that donned Tristan's colors. "Almost forgot about this…" She hung it on the small peg beside her shop, causing the lucario to laugh.

"It's a nice touch, I think," Rachel stated.

"Sure is. Now I've gotta close up shop in a few and be on my way."

"Understood. It's been nice talking with you," Rachel said.

"You too, sweetie. Be sure to stop by soon!"

She headed back to her house, a lot on her mind at the moment. Liam hadn't been the only reason she'd wanted to join the team, but she'd be lying if she said that she hadn't been interested in the possibility of a relationship. But if it wasn't meant to be, then there wasn't anything that could be done about it. Being illogical and childlike about the matter wouldn't solve anything. And Kangaskhan was right - she would eventually find someone. The only difficulty, though, would be finding a male that was on her level, and he had been the only one that she had seen for some time.

But what was more important, though, was the fact that he seemed to have the town in his very paw. That is, if those rumors were correct. Working for Tristan, she couldn't help but be curious as to whether or not it was true, and perhaps she would ask the luxray the next time she saw him. How did he even get into a position to own the bank? she thought. She trusted Liam, but she did have to admit that if one wealthy individual was pulling all the strings in Treasure Town, then there might be cause for concern. And who was to say that was even the full extent of things? The more she thought about it, the more questions arose.

She reached the door to her house, which was about two hundred square feet in area. It was certainly large enough for everything she needed in a home, and much larger than the average residence here. Rachel had made a decent living in her line of work, one that she was hoping to continue. The house was a few minutes' walk from the main intersection, and out her front window, she could see a few people at work on the southern entrance to town. She watched as two pidgeots flapped in place as they hung Valmor's banner from the top of the gate.

— — — — —

Liam

— — — — —

"Ugh, I'm glad we're almost there," Selina said. It had taken several hours to ascend the tower, but the couple had nearly reached the top. The large, winding stairway was massive on account of Dialga's size, and it made it more of a struggle for the two of them. Admittedly, this wasn't either of their favorite part of the trip, but the few days they spent with Dialga was always worth it. For such a massive, powerful person, he was quite friendly - especially since he wasn't trying to crush them this time around.

"Hey, at least we don't have to fight our way up," he joked. The more Liam thought about it, he could hardly believe that they'd had the strength to take on the deity after such a daunting series of fights, but they surely had by some miracle. Now, having known to expect the duo, the tower's guards let them by without any issue at all, some of them even greeting them.

They stopped to have a quick lunch, and he examined the walls of the tower as he did so. Everything was so ornate, and it seemed that everywhere he looked, a different story was told. Engravings were spread throughout the building, their craftsmanship impressive and irrefutable, and it was always interesting to try and figure out what was occurring in the pictures, as he could not understand the language that was written on the walls. Though Selina seemed to take more interest in watching him look around like a curious child.

"Ready to go?" Liam asked after they'd finished eating.

"Not really, but we may as well." She was the first to rise to her feet, stretching out after the break. The umbreon grinned, though, and lightly pressed her nose to his, and Liam leaned forward and kissed her. "Mmm, I love you Liam."

"And I you." He didn't follow it up this time, though, as he doubted that any of the guards who might have been nearby would want to see their displays of affection, which the two of them had discovered could get incredibly intense. He loved the umbreon unlike he'd loved anything else before, and Liam couldn't help but admit that he looked forward to the eventual consummation of their bond.

Within another half hour, the final few stairs came into view, and the afternoon sky was visible. The exhausted duo appreciated the sight, and Liam already began to remove his sash. After all, he didn't want to greet a person of such prominence wearing weapons. The lucario set it towards the steps as they walked out onto the pinnacle.

The legendary stood tall, looking off into the distance as the chilly wind blew through. Each of the tall, white pillars had been rebuilt, and the smooth stone brick had been laid once again. He stood there silently as Liam and Selina approached him, staring at the five Time Gears embedded within the pedestal. "My two friends… I have awaited your return," Dialga said. His voice was deep, filled with power and authority. They both kneeled in respect as he turned around, seeming to shake the very structure as he did so. "Please, there is no need for such a display. I am not the Almighty."

"It's good to see you, Dialga," Liam said. "How have things been?"

"My strength is returning. Gradually, but it is indeed happening. Though as things currently stand, I am nearly powerless over my own domain."

"Wow," Selina said. "So things must've been pretty bad back then…"

"If you are referring to the events of three years ago, then that is true. Darkrai came uncomfortably close to succeeding in his plan to ruin the world." Dialga gradually trudged forward before lowering himself onto the floor, sitting casually in front of his two guests. "It has taken everything within me to keep the fabric of time in order. Right now, I lack even the most basic abilities that I was granted as I devote my strength to making sure that something like that never happens again."

"Dang. So you can't even look into the future." Dialga shook his head, releasing a loud, rumbling laugh.

"Pathetic, aren't I? You seem to have more ability in that matter than I. But I feel my strength coming back to me, and it will not be much longer. My descent was one that took years, and it will take years to recover. But I am sensing a massive abnormality in the stream of time."

"Now if you exist at all times… then how come you aren't aware of what is going on in the future?" Selina asked.

"There is only one who truly is omnipresent, as you both know, and it is not I. I can travel throughout time and I have been granted dominion over the subject, but I have my limitations. I am not a god."

"So wait… how were you able to bring Liam back?" Selina asked.

"In a feat that surprised even myself. I was not certain that I would be able to accomplish such a thing, but I felt the need to express my gratitude to the two of you for your roles in saving the planet. I know that must have been a daunting experience for you both, being children when you fought me."

"Well, I don't think I've told you how much I appreciated that," the umbreon said, before nuzzling Liam. "Especially now…"

"So the two of you are mates now, I assume?" They nodded, and Dialga smiled in response. "I cannot say that I am surprised. Even if I had the full extent of my strength, I would not have needed it to foretell the development of such a bond between the two of you. But I also require you both to have control over any urges while you are within this sacred building." Liam laughed, though Selina looked away in slight embarrassment at the implications.

"Of course. You have nothing to worry about there," Liam replied. "Now I did want to ask you about something. You mentioned an abnormality within time? Should we be concerned?"

"No. It is not one that should frighten you, nor I for that matter. But it is something that I have never encountered before. It would appear that there is a split within the fabric of time - two different futures - somehow created in a period long from now. I will examine it in great detail once I am fully recovered. I feel myself in multiple times at once, but until I can travel through dimensions and my consciousness expands throughout all time once again, the knowledge will elude me."

"That sounds… kinda complicated," Selina said.

"It is often difficult to understand the intricacies of inter-dimensional physics," Dialga said.

"Yeah, you aren't kidding," Liam said.

"I have a theory regarding this abnormality. But I do have my reserves about revealing it in fear of raising false hopes within you, Liam."

"I appreciate that, Dialga. I can take it, though."

"If you insist." He lowered his head onto his front legs, looking at their level. It was kind of a funny pose for such a mighty being. "When the two of you fought me, I was weaker than I should have been. With what little bit of conscious thought I had within me, though, I could feel it. I was fighting in the future as well."

"You… what?"

"Somebody else was engaged in combat with me. Or several people. It was a great distraction that made it easier for each side to win, both yours and theirs. I am uncertain as to who the others were, but I feel it may have been those from your future, Liam."

"From… my future?" the lucario asked.

"Those who similarly originated from the period in which you came from. That also happens to be around which the distortion in time has been created."

"Meaning… they might not actually be gone…" Liam said quietly.

"That is what my suspicions are," Dialga said. "But I am unsure." The lucario looked at his mate, who seemed equally as surprised as him.

"Arceus…" he said. "Selina… they might still be alive…"

"Is there any way we can get in contact with them?" the umbreon asked.

"Not for now," the colossal dragon said. "But you have my word that I will reach out to you when I can. Though currently, I am limited to this very tower. I do wish that you would keep in mind that this is all but a theory."

"Of course," Liam said with a nod. Wow… if they're still out there… But why wouldn't they have been told about this sooner? Had Dialga been withholding the information these past few years, or had he been weakened to the point of just recently learning about this distortion? Whatever the case, it didn't really matter now - all that he cared about was the fact that there might just be a chance.

. . . . .

They talked with the legendary until dusk, filling him in on what had happened in their lives - the new member of the team, the events of the election, and the new direction that Treasure Town was heading in. He took great interest in their experiences, inquiring about each and every detail. He was very questioning about Liam's interference, but understood why the lucario had done what he had, leaving the topic on the note that he should not be meddling in matters that were none of his concern. Of course he'd take Eleanor's side, he jokingly thought. But both he and the cresselia had a point, and Liam had already vowed to stop his secretive actions.

Eventually, though, Liam and Selina got tired, particularly after having spent hours climbing the tower. They already knew which room they could use, and the two of them wished the legendary a good night - though he didn't exactly sleep - before heading downstairs. The lucario folded the tent over itself, then again once more to make something a bit more comfortable than the stone floor. She laid down on the makeshift bed with a sigh, before looking at her partner expectantly. "Are we gonna have a repeat of last night?" she asked.

"You know it," Liam replied.