The cliffs of Sharpedo Bluff were truly spectacular. The distinct smell of the sea, carried by salty winds was something I found truly amazing. I understand most others wouldn't be particularly impressed by the sight, but they didn't come from a stagnant and dreary future now did they?

Truth be told, I was rather restless. The simple but cozy bed of quality straw was one of the most comfortable beddings I ever had and the shaky crackling of a dying fire was a sound I found oddly relaxing. By all rights I should be soundly asleep and here I was, my head racing with interconnecting thoughts, refusing to slow down. Damn it, I thought I outgrew this impediment before.

I looked towards the other two beds and gazed upon those resting on them. First there was that young Treecko, Oscar was his name. He initially hadn't left much of an impression on me. Or at least nothing positive. Cowardly, overly hesitant, and easily rattled; his showing in the quicksand caverns had been pathetic to say the least. But not even a month later, in the crystal lake, when next I saw him a fire burned in those eyes. It was a look of determination I've seen before, one that screamed defiance and a steadfast will to never give up. I hadn't vocalized it myself but I'd been thoroughly impressed with his development. The small lizard that quaked at any unexpected danger had become strong and stalwart enough to brave the landscape of a paralyzed planet. Of course now that I knew everything I thoroughly understood why. The reason being of course the former human that lay on the remaining bed, now a Torchic.

My former partner, Alvin. That's a twist of fate I'm still struggling to process even now. I had braced for the possibility we may not see each other again, that one of us would succeed without ever having the chance to say our goodbyes. There was even a small, nagging, part of my mind that considered that perhaps he had not survived the accident as we travelled through time. But I refused to indulge it, I was certain he survived. When he didn't show up to Crystal Lake, where the last time gear resided, I was certain he had his reasons.

Him losing all his memories and turning into a Torchic wasn't among the reasons I'd considered though. Just thinking about it makes my head spin with how impossible it seemed. Yet I could not deny the facts, everything lined up. The dimensional scream, a passion for doing the right thing, a somewhat irritating but upheaving personality, and so on and so forth. It was undeniably him, Alvin who was my partner and-.

No, no point in reminiscing now. He and Oscar are partners now. I'm just the third wheel who's leaving at daybreak to collect the remaining time gears. No point in getting too sentimental at this stage.

Suddenly the bed of straw seemed to suddenly prickle at my back and the air seemed much too warm. I sighed, knowing full well I couldn't get back to sleep. Growing up in the future made me all too alert to sleep soundly in anything but the most perfect of situations and with my head still racing, I was sure idling around would be a futile effort.

Quietly, I rose from my bed making sure to not to wake either of the other two. They tried to hide it but the both of them were utterly exhausted, having to brave everything about the future then the expedition to Treeshroud Forest with barely any time to rest. I knew they were at their limit, which is why I insisted on collecting the remaining time gears myself, merely entrusting the two with research and preparations. I'd be able to move faster on my own anyway. Alvin used to be able to keep up but well, that was when he was an agile and athletic human as opposed to the mostly unassuming Torchic he was now. Though his soul remained as steadfast as ever, one's passions must kneel to whatever one is physically capable in the first place. By virtue of being a Pokémon now he had more innate power, but compared to the years of experience he honed his survival skills and skillset as a human it was nothing. I'm still reeling about the first time he tested that luminous orb trick on me.

Tsk, there I go letting my mind run again. I'll need to calm myself, and I know just how to do so.

The steps of the hidden staircase were old and quite creaky, obviously being neglected for the most part. It would be a problem for some, but as a Grovyle I could scale its walls instead. Slightly craggy rock is far from the most hazardous terrain I've had to shurrey up.

Doing exactly that, I soon found myself atop the bluff, standing over the cliffside. With haste I sat down, closed my eyes, crossed my legs, took a deep breath, and began to meditate.

Learning how to meditate was one of the first skills I had to master. The ability to control one's mind was pivotal in a dreary and dark world, as many who did not found themselves prone to losing theirs. Compared to meditating in a land devoid of wind and crashing waves, it was incredibly easy to lose myself to the sounds of nature. It gave you something to focus on other than the sound of another's footsteps. Gradually, I calmed down by tuning myself to the rhythm of the sea. What a beautiful tune it was, the world simply being allowed to express itself. To allow it to continue on for ages to come, I've decided ever since I lent my ears to their song and my eyes to the sunrise it was something worth-

A new melody of resounding footsteps suddenly interrupted this natural rhythm, a familiar tune. Identifying them was too simple to even be considered instinct. Until I arrived in the present, they were the only sounds I've heard barring the voices of another.

"Alright, which one of you two is it?" I called out. "You should know by now there's no point sneaking up on me."

The moment I heard a slight grumble, I knew exactly who it was. My old friend always had a tendency to be annoyed when he felt someone else outdid him.

After a few seconds, the Torchic came into my view as I turned around. Even with just a glance, I could tell he was still exhausted. The heaviness of his eyes he was trying too hard to hide and breaths that were just a tad heavier than normal. I could see those details all too clearly.

Before he even had a chance to speak, my mouth just seemed to act on its own. "You really should get more sleep, you know. Don't even try to pull the tough guy act on me, I know you're nowhere near your peak performance."

He scowled at me in response, but I expected that. He always scowled whenever I fussed over him. "Fine, sure I could use rest," he said through his displeasure. "But I'm not the one trudging through the entire continent to collect the time gears tomorrow. All I'll be doing is research and maybe double checking a low level dungeon or two. What's your excuse?"

"Can't sleep."

"Then that goes for the two of us."

Yep this definitely is the Alvin I knew, always so stubborn.

"Alright, then what do you want?" I asked.

He raised his eyes at me. "Shouldn't it be obvious? Before you head out, I want to learn more about myself. And you by extension."

Ah, I should have expected that. Of course he'd be curious, he doesn't know anything aside from the two of us being partners after all.

"Alright sure, what do you want to know?" I asked, doing my best to seem unbothered. Hopefully he'll be satisfied quickly, I'd prefer not to recount the past longer than I'd have to.

He looked at me incredulously, as if I shouldn't have to ask. "Why, everything of course! From the way you spoke with such trust in me, we must have been close right?" I want to hear about all our adventures! With extra details on my own heroics, naturally. I'm sure you can manage that, can't you?"

Yep, there it was. Another aspect of him, that borderline arrogant confidence. Being honest with myself, I did find it annoying at one point but somehow I managed to find it endearing. Perhaps because unlike other braggarts, he was fully capable of backing up his words.

I chuckled lightly. After so much time on my own, his natural boisterousness was a very welcome sight. "I'll try but we've had years and years worth of travels together, I'd be doing you a great disservice if I cut out too many stories just to wrap everything up now."

I expected a smile in return but instead, I was greeted by a frown. "I didn't know we shared that many stories, just how long did we know each other?"

Damn it, I was counting on him being more interested in the stories over the specifics of our history. My mistake in letting that detail slip. Still, I refuse to lie to him. He may not have the memories of our partnership but I still adamantly held onto an oath we made, that we'd never lie to each other. In a world of deceit, having someone we could place unconditional trust in played no small part in shaping our mutual decision to save the world, no matter the cost.

I hesitated slightly as I calmed my breathing. I can't afford to get too riled up lest I betray too much. "15 years," I revealed. "We've known each other since we were young. We quickly became a team and we've been partners since."

A conflicted look became apparent on Alvin's face. It came as no surprise at all, I doubt he had much time to consider the magnitude of our escapades as a team.

After a few moments of silence he spoke out. "Doesn't it bother you then? That the partner you knew was ripped from you, replaced by an amnesiac who couldn't even recognize the friend he spent most of his life with? Doesn't it seem unfair to you?"

I looked back at him curiously. While the basis of his statement, his concern for me, was very much in character from what I knew, another part wasn't. We were both the kind of men who spent little time pondering the fairness of the world, it simply wasn't a topic worth humoring based on our upbringing. Only having memories of a vibrant world though, I suppose might have changed that.

"I was never the type to care what was unfair or not," I simply told him. "My closest partner being alive and well, it's already enough for me."

"But don't you wish I had my memories back? You can't be satisfied with your partner not having any memories of the adventures you had together, can you?" came Alvin's reply, a hint of daring in his words as if he challenged me to refute them.

I met his challenge head on, he's severely underestimating how likewise stubborn I can be. "Of course I wish you had your memories back but it is what it is. There's not much we could do at this stage, is there? Even without your memories, your mannerisms, your personality, the actions you take, they are all undeniably those of my partner. It could be better, but what we have now is enough to satisfy me."

As I gazed back at him, I noticed some of the aggravation leaving his eyes. He obviously wanted to protest but doing so with how little he knew about me was a tall order. I knew what got under his skin and what particular arguments he ceded to, he didn't have that luxury.

"Fine," he relented, "This is obviously troubling me a lot more than it's troubling you. Instead, let me ask about something else. Compared to how you knew me, is who I am now any different?"

Now I see, so that's the crux of the issue troubling him. He's still concerned about me of course, but he's also worried he might have changed greatly as a result of his memory loss. I suppose when his sense of self is innately so strong, such a prospect should naturally trouble him.

"Hmm, how can I put this," I contemplated out loud. "There are some differences, but I don't think who you are has changed. Does that make sense?"

"You're going to need to explain better because you just lost me," replied a bewildered Alvin.

I guess there's no way of sugarcoating it, this isn't something I can answer with my usual dispassion. As I eyed the endless sea before me, I allowed a hint of fondness into my voice. "The best way I could put it is that whatever differences between you and the human I knew are completely natural." I glanced back at him for a moment to see the same bewilderment but he also calmed down slightly which is what I was hoping for.

I continued, "Those differences exist solely because you've been freed from the shackles of the paralyzed planet. It is a world where distrust, selfishness, and little more than pure survival dominated the minds of its denizens. We fared a lot better than most but it's impossible to fully discard what living in such a world would do to you. It placed a limit on the empathy one could hold, it desensitized one to suffering, it had the potential to taint even the slightest hope anyone could hold dear."

Looking at him once more, I couldn't help but release the slightest of smiles. "Those differences exist because you've been freed from those shackles. Wherever you may differ can be almost entirely explained by the newfound freedom you've found yourself. You're undeniably my partner, just overall happier and more expressive with less reasons to be cynical. Seeing you like that, well, it brought back the same joy and resolve to me as the first sunrise I ever saw did. I was already willing to risk it all to save the world and now, I feel as if I've managed to steel myself even further. I'd do anything to protect this beautiful world and I know you feel the same."

Alvin stared at me, mouth slightly agape. I suppose I got rather emotional there and it would seem unusual coming from me. Still, it felt nice getting much off my chest.

Still shocked, he replied, "The way you said all that, it makes it sound as if I was the one who inspired you to walk this path."

I chuckled in response to his outburst. "I thought I made it quite clear earlier, our bond was a lifeline we held onto. I doubt either of us would have made the decisions we did if we lacked such faith."

Glancing at me once more, he hesitated slightly but straightened his posture. "Alright then, Grovyle, I'd like to ask just one last question."

"Sure, I can answer."

"We're we ever uh, ever involved as more than friends?"

I froze on the spot. Instantly, I inwardly cursed. At first it felt nice getting my feelings out in the open but now I was paying for doing so. The very issue I've been trying so hard to avoid was being dredged up, and avoiding it seemed like such a gargantuan order. Still, I had to try and salvage the situation.

"What makes you think that?"

"To be blunt, Grovyle, I find you attractive. With what you've confirmed to me, I'm sure I must have felt the same even back then. Add in how I find a strong sense of duty and honesty to be among the most important attributes in any person, I can't help but feel as if I would have expressed my attraction to you. I was horribly unsure about what my past self may have felt, but after you've confirmed his thoughts and actions still mirror mine and elaborated on the closeness we shared, I can't imagine ever leaving my pinings unsaid."

God damn it, it turns out the one who misjudged the situation was me. This must be what the core of his troubles revolved around, what I had previously assumed to be it was merely an offshoot. I suppose there's no escape, I had hoped to keep this aspect of the truth from him because I know it would bother him to no end and in the grand scheme of it all, it was inconsequential. Still, I've never lied to him and I won't start here.

"... Yes, we did have an involvement that went beyond friendship. It's nothing too extravagant, as partners we already pledged to stick together so long as we still breathe but you wanted a touch more and I was willing to reciprocate. I wasn't quite sure of my own feelings at the time but you were the most important person to me and I was to you. Still, we weren't quite, er, romantic. Not much changed between us after your confession, we were more willing to show gestures of reassurance and we were more willing to discuss more personal matters but we hardly did much of what you'd expect from a couple in this age. The most romantic thing we ever did was when you gave me just a quick peck on the cheek just before we headed into the present. In hindsight, it was nice and I've come to appreciate that moment more and more but there isn't much else to explain."

Immediately after my confession I looked towards him, intent on gauging his reaction. As I expected, he seemed incredibly conflicted. He was fidgeting and he only ever did so when he was deeply troubled. A couple of times he seemed to be on the verge of saying something, only for him to close his mouth before anything could escape his lips.

After giving him around a minute, I sighed before I spoke up once more. "Ideally, I didn't want to trouble you with this but like I said, I swore I'd never lie to you. Even for truths that are arguably better left unsaid. For what it's worth, I'm not interested in rekindling our bond to those heights."

"You're not? But why?"

I hesitated, I'm usually the kind of person who listens to what my heart tells me. Right now, yes, my heart wanted the Alvin I knew to be at my side once more. But though he remains the same person at heart, unless his memories return, this isn't the Alvin I knew. It's selfish I know, the Torchic before me is an overall happier and better adjusted individual. Still, I couldn't help but miss the rougher, cruder, and more reserved human that lived through my memories. But I can't tell him that, can I? He's already self conscious about his identity so-

"Grovyle come on, this shouldn't be difficult to answer," he suddenly snapped. "You said it yourself didn't you? We were supposed to live our lives together! Maybe I don't know exactly what my previous self thought but I know he must have loved you. With that alone, I also know he had a dream of the two of us living our lives together after we saved the world. Are you content with letting that dream die?"

The rest of our lives together… After we restored the paralyzed planet…..? Oh bloody hell, I'm such a damned idiot! Of course he wouldn't know! I don't know how it slipped my mind, perhaps seeing the steel and grit blinded me, but I knew he lost his memories. There shouldn't be any reason that the knowledge of our inevitable erasure wouldn't be included!

"Grovyle, what's wrong? You've stiffened up and gone deathly pale."

Dammit, what do I even do here? I don't want to lie but is there anything else I could say? With no other option, perhaps sugarcoating and semantics are the way to go. I dislike obscuring wordplay but for once, I suppose the answer was to turn to it.

Closing my eyes, I responded, "You're right, there's always been a part of me that wanted us to live our lives together after everything is done. But with everything that's happened, I've merely accepted that it wasn't meant to be."

It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the full truth either. Even so, this was the most I've ever deceived him. I hope that was enough, please be enough.

I had expected him to be pacified to a degree but as I opened my eyes, I couldn't be any further from the truth. Alvin was shooting a furious glare at me, seeming entirely unsatisfied with my answer. I shivered, I've seen this level of emotion from him only a handful of times.

"You've accepted it wasn't meant to be you say! That's complete bullshit and you and I both know it! The reason why we're here in the first place is because we hated the circumstances we had in the future and sought to change them. And here you are, saying you've given up any semblance of working to restore my memories. I know you miss your partner, after everything you've confirmed to me I can say so without doubt. Now, it's not in either of our natures to lie down and accept the cruelties life throws our way. I know you're hiding something. You're not lying to me, but you're not telling the whole truth either. Now, nothing vague this time if you wouldn't mind."

I've greatly underestimated Alvin, I had presumed his time in the present had dulled his sharpness to a degree and his amnesia would give me an upper hand in conversations like this. I couldn't be further from the truth. The moment I intentionally obscured the facts, he pounced like a starving feral. Blast it all, his scathing words pierced through my already dissonant heart. I really didn't want to lie to him, but so badly I wanted him to retain the joyousness he's found for himself. If I did lie, I could see that smile for longer, see him continue to live without those heavy shackles.

Was I willing to lie to him, even if he'd hate me for it?

If it's for his sake and his happiness, then yes I am.

And there just so happens to be one lie that could get me out of this mess.

"Fine, you got me. I'm not willing to get between you and Oscar. There's your answer."

Momentarily, he seemed stunned. "Oscar? But we're not-"

Internally, I sighed in relief. By his slightest discomposure I already knew this tactic would work. "Now you don't pull that with me. You're just as sharp as I remember. You must have noticed by now. The pining stares he gives you when he thinks no one is looking, the smile he saves for you and only you, the degree to which he trusts you in just the span of a few months. You're the most important person he has, and I'm sure he's yours even now. I can tell how much he means to you already. It's not my place to get in between you two."

"Grovyle..."

"Even if you did regain your memories, I'd still be uncomfortable getting between you two. He needs you Alvin, perhaps more than you think. I know you, you hate leaving others behind and you've grown very attached to him. Plus, since you've admitted attraction to me and my traits, I can't believe you wouldn't find him at least somewhat dashing. Don't even try to deny any of this. But me? I'm fine on my own now. I can move on, I'm strong enough and he isn't yet. You're my close friend, but as things stand I can't allow myself to be anything more."

"And what if I chose you, right now?" he challenged.

I gave him a knowing smile. The question was all bravado at this point, he didn't have anything else. "You wouldn't. You always loved reminiscing on our adventures and referencing quips only you and I would understand. You don't have that with me right now, you have that with Oscar. Am I wrong?"

Alvin growled in frustration. There it was, he felt bested once more.

"Alright fine, I fully understand your stance. I just don't think it's fair to you. I know you told me you don't care about fairness but still, I think you deserve to be happy and you can't make me budge on that," Alvin explained.

"But I am happy, I'm grateful even for the talk we're having now. You're not completely the human I remember but you've matured into your own person even more. You've found your own place and a new family even without those memories. Knowing you've managed to meet wonderful friends who can make you smile, it makes me happy in turn," I smirked at him.

"Fine Grovyle, I'll back down. But in return, can you promise me one thing?" he asked, strangely pleadingly.

"Depends, what is it?"

"When this is all over, I'd like for you to join our exploration team. Officially. The chance for you to go exploring with me once more is the least you deserve. Except this time, it won't be explorations to scavenge or scout or survive. As my own desire for your happiness, I want you to know the joy of being a part of the world you're saving. So won't you join us?"

Internally, I froze. It was such a sweet and innocent request, and he was doing it all for my sake. It was a beautiful dream, but one that would never have the chance to become reality. Still, a dream to go exploring once more with the friend I loved sounded so appealing. It wouldn't be a lie to say I'd love to have the opportunity. Which is why my response was-

"Yes, if I can I'd be glad to."

As he beamed at me in response with a gentle light in his eyes I cursed my fate. Never had I cursed my fate of being a doomed pokemon from the future, even my impending demise I had begrudgingly accepted long ago. Thinking back though, of course I accepted my death back then. The idea of having a future to look forward to wasn't something I fully grasped, at most I merely looked forward to spending another day with Alvin. Now though? The idea that I could, no, should look forward to the bright days ahead, something about those ideas made me weak. If I could have lived a long and fulfilling life, met so many other great pokemon, explored the world, all together with those I loved most…..

Tsk, no. I can't drown in self pity. No point in contemplating what could have been. I accept that scenarios of living a normal life as an explorer has a monumental pull on me, it was something I'd pursue endlessly were I capable of doing so. But I can't, all I can do is fight for those who would have that chance should we succeed.

Because while I'd want it for myself, as a dead man walking, my own wishes wouldn't amount to anything.

Damn it all.


After our heavy conversation, Alvin and I spent a few more minutes talking about mundane matters. He was clearly happy and I hoped to match his joy with enthusiasm, despite the whirlwind ravaging my head. He asked me why I was still a Grovyle despite being more than powerful enough to evolve. It was a simple question with an easy answer. Sceptile tails got too bushy and were awful for stealth while a Grovyle was capable of so much more trickery. I couldn't pull the luminous orb trick with a tail as bushy as a Sceptile's for instance. Afterwards, he seemed very insistent on me finding a new partner of my own, but his insinuations made it clear he meant so in the romantic sense. I really didn't want that conversation to go further so I mentioned the high likelihood of responding to Celebi's thinly veiled flirts.

Which led to me taking the lead in that conversation. Talking about my preferences, which I explained by simply stating I wasn't too picky about gender and species, and discussing how we placed bets on how long it would take for Celebi to get a clue about us. Which she never did. Though now that I was available, perhaps I could respond to her own yearnings. She was a mutual friend of ours and I did hold some fondness for her.

Shortly after that topic, the look in my friend's eyes waned enough for me to notice. There were still a few hours until dawn and I insisted he rest, though he in turn insisted I do so as well. Humoring him, I agreed though I doubted I'd be able to rest with my thoughts all scrambled. Surprisingly, my body took over and demanded I rest. Sleep soundly I did, perhaps getting some things off my chest was for the better.

At the very crack of dawn, all three of us seemed to stir together. Working quickly, we stealthily crept towards Treasure Town's famous crossroads.

As we arrived, Oscar called out to me, "Well good luck Grovyle! Check in with us once you've gathered all the time gears alright?!"

"Of course I will Oscar," I said in response to the younger lizard. "In the meantime, you two do your own exploring and learn as much about the Hidden Land alright?"

"Naturally! We always do our best, ain't that right buddy?" responded Alvin.

"Yes, of course we do," proudly replied Oscar. It was almost surreal to see him so confident.

If only I could have a few short words with the Treecko, there was something I wished to tell him in confidence. Thought now that I think about it…...

"Alvin?"

"Yes, Grovyle?"

"Do you mind, ah, fetching me some supplies? Namely a reviver seed, I ran out of my supply at treeshroud forest. That's all I need, just to be safe. Still, I know you and your preparations. Give me what you think is necessary, just be quick alright?"

As Alvin quietly dashed away towards Treasure Town, I was alone with Oscar. Perfect.

"While we're here Oscar, a moment please."

The Treecko took a moment to respond as looked back at me quizzically. Of course he'd been slightly taken by the Torchic dashing away.

"If there's anything unsaid between you and Alvin, it would be in both of your best interests to let him know soon."

Instantly, the younger lizard's face grew almost as red as his chin and underbelly. "I- I don't know what you're talking about."

I smirked, the Treecko was awful at hiding his emotions. No wonder Alvin already pieced together how the Oscar felt. The only thing left was that one vital step.

"You know what I think squirt? I think you're overcomplicating things. You've got a question for Alvin and you want to hear a yes more than anything else. That's all there is to it, nothing else matters."

"I- I'm not quite sure if it's the appropriate time. We've got more important things to worry about don't we?" squirmed the Treecko as he fidgeted.

"Listen to me Oscar, every second is precious and those precious seconds are wasted when what you wish for is within grasp and you just need to reach out. If you need reassurance, between you and me I'm letting you know Alvin's inclinations line up with yours."

He still remained somewhat flushed, "I mean, that's as far as you know. What if losing his memories might have, you know, changed some things?"

I looked at him with a deadpan expression, "Oscar, that part of you isn't something that goes away. It's a part of you that's built in, you should understand that right?"

The Treecko reluctantly nodded, "I suppose you're right. Still, I can't help but feel like admitting my feelings to him might weaken us as a team."

I shook my head, "Come on, haven't you figured it out yet? You're looking at it the wrong way. Alvin's the kind of person who is at his best when there's something he wants to fight for. For as long as you've been a team, you've always been that something. Don't you know how much you mean to him?"

He averted his gaze from me, "I don't know, I've always felt like I'm the one who needs him. He's managed to help me grow so much and I can't say I've done the same for him. Before I let him know, I want to prove myself. So I can stand as an equal to him and walk towards the future together."

I just had to smile, knowing someone cared for Alvin so much that he was willing to go from a cowardly squirt to a man capable of protecting him assured me I was making the right choice.

"Oscar, stop. I can tell you with absolute certainty, you've changed him. I've never seen Alvin happier for all I've known him than how he is now. I know you're part of what made it so. Sure you haven't made him braver or more headstrong but neither have I, he's always been that way. What you did was offer kindness when he had no one to turn to and always be there for him since. I can tell you, I've seen love happen over less."

The Treecko remained as red as a tamato berry, but despite it all he allowed the slightest of smiles on his face. "Do you really think so?"

"Without a doubt."

"Then….. I think I can let him know soon."

"That's all I ask for."

At that moment, the Torchic came back into view. "Alright I'm back! Managed to nab some supplies at Kecleon's. Guess he wasn't kidding when he said he could sell wares in his sleep. Did I miss anything?"

"Not much, just gave Oscar here a pep talk. Isn't that right?"

Though still flustered to a degree, the Treecko managed a straight face. "Yeah, that's what it was, a pep talk."

Alvin raised his eyes at me but I merely shot a smirk at him.

Taking the supplies, I was confident I didn't need them but it never hurts to be careful, I glanced at the otherwise empty crossroads before me. Quite a fitting place to go our separate ways.

"Alright, you two. Take care of each other alright? You shouldn't be facing too much danger but you're tired and Dusknoir is bound to confront us eventually. I trust you two but if you sense anything out of the ordinary, run. Got it?"

"Got it," replied the two simultaneously.

"Good, I'll be back the moment I gather the time gears once more. From there, we march through the hidden land and restore the temporal tower!"

"Yeah!"

"I'll be back soon then. I wish you both the best of luck, for all matters, until we meet again."

Shooting just a quick glance back, I saw a tired but bright smile on Alvin's face and Oscar seemed to get nervous just a little but a fire was kindling in those eyes. I knew when I came back, they'd be ready.

As I began my marathon of retrieving the time gears, I couldn't help but feel just a little guilty. Ever since I've allowed myself that one lie, sprinkling in half truths or statements I've yet to verify with absolute certainty has become almost second nature to me. Sure Alvin's current state is the happiest I've seen him and I have zero doubt Oscar contributed, but it's still my honest judgement that being freed of a dark upbringing did more. Regardless of my guilt though, I badly wanted them both to live the happiest days of their lives before the final battle.

Perhaps it was callous of me. I knew of Alvin's inevitable fate, I knew the two would be separated before long. Yet my own desire to act for the sake of my partner's happiness and Oscar's own obvious pinings pushed me towards this. Deep down I already knew those two, in a just world, would become the greatest of partners, in more ways than one. Yet history would not be so kind to them. Is it right for me to nudge them on, knowing the cruelty that awaited them? Many would ponder over that predicament on end, but not I. The destination would be more painful than anything else, but I knew the journey there would create the greatest men the world had ever seen. No matter how it ended, I had zero doubt Oscar would grow to be one of this world's greatest explorers. He had Alvin by his side after all and I knew full well he'd draw out the great potential that lay inside the young Treecko, even if it would come in the form of forlorn memories.

Because the fire in those eyes was a reflection of mine, a resilient flame that will never die down. To live and dream for the memory of the one we loved most.