I know I said the next chapter was going to be a while, but one can only read about rocks and derivatives for so long before it starts to threaten their sanity. Or perhaps it was my insanity feeling threatened by all the sanity being crammed into my mind? Whatever the case, here's the next chapter earlier than expected.
I hate writing fight scenes. I suck at them. Wish I could just go 'and the good guy punched the bad guy so hard he flew off into the sky like something out of super smash bros. The end'.
So close. Just one more Time Gear. Grovyle was so close to completeing his mission. Just one more...
But Grovyle didn't feel happy about this. Nothing about the mission had ever made him happy. Instead, from the very beginning, it had made him feel cold, as if the very act of searching for the objects was leaching the heat from his bones.
He would get it done in the end, but he would savor every second before that time came. How did the saying go? The journey's better than the destination? Something along those lines anyways, and it was made all the more true when the destination would ultimately lead to his death.
As Grovyle made the long trek towards Crystal Cave, he wished not for the first time that Sol was there with him. That wasn't too much to ask, was it? But by then, so far into the mission without catching so much as a glimpse of the human, any human for that matter, he knew he would never see her again. Sol was either lost in time, or more likely dead. He was numb to everything by the time he was able to admit that to himself. Numb and cold.
Grovyle had been to Crystal Cave before, in the future when he and Sol had been looking for clues on where to go upon getting back to the past. The floor had been jagged and painful to tread upon, like walking on shattered glass. The crystals that made up the walls and ceiling had been dark grey, almost black and seemed to absorb light rather then reflect it, and the way they were arranged made the carried glowstone cast odd shadows, making it seem as if dark shadow creatures stalked the tunnels.
But here, in the past, the cave couldn't have been more different. The crystals glowed with their own inner light in a variety of hues, from the dominant blues, greens and pinks to the rarer purples, reds and golds. The floor was clear with soft ripples, the slight uneveness making it easier to keep one's footing without slipping on the smooth surface.
That didn't mean the cave was much more inviting, however. The place was so alien and otherworldly in appearance and Grovyle got the distinct feeling he didn't belong here.
This was a place made for Pokémon as cold and hard as the crystals.
Grovyle reached a large room shaped like a pentagon, three giant crystals arranged in a triangle at its center, pink, yellow and orange. Grovyle remembered this place, having been here when he and Sol had searched the future for evidence of the Time Gears. Despite being exhausted, they had immediately left the caves after Sol got her vision instead of setting up camp for the night, not wanting to spend a moment longer than necessary in such a dark, unwelcoming place. Well, unwelcoming when compared to the rest of the future. Sol said it would be better in the past, full of colour and vibrancy...
No, Grovyle couldn't let himself think about Sol, not now. If he let himself think about what he stood to lose when all this was over, would he be able to go through with it? Besides, all it would bring was pain, and he already carried enough of that as it was. He had to push all those thoughts aside, focus on the present and block out memories of his friends. Perhaps, when the Time Gears were put in place and Temporal Tower restored, then he would let himself think of them. That sounded nice, to have his last thoughts be of Celebi and Sol before he disappeared forever.
But for now, it was nothing but the mission. No more moping and wishing, just action.
Grovyle tapped the crystals until they all shown with a deep blue light. He backed away quickly as electricity jumped from their tops to meet in the middle of the triad. There was a deep rumbling from deep beneath the ground and cracks appeared in the floor. Slowly, accompanied by the sound of crystal scraping against crystal, one massive, glittering piece emerged from the floor, revealing a jagged passage.
Once the rimbling and electricity faded, Grovyle investigated the opening more closely. Inside, one long, continuous piece of crystal spiraled downwards to some unknown destination. He cautiously placed one foot onto the clear, translucent surface and found it as slick and smooth as ice.
Well, Sol's vision didn't mention anything like this. 'The path will reveal itself'. It would have been nice to know the 'path' was actually a giant slide.
Without hesitation, Grovyle launched himself into the opening, knees bent as he balanced on his feet. The tatic would have worked had the slope been straight, but as it was he crashed into the wall, fell onto his back, spun in circles, crashed into another wall before finally able right himself in a sitting position an a semi controlled slide. His momentum kept him right up next to the out wall of the spiraling circle, rushing around and around at a dizzying speed.
Sol would have loved this, came an errant thought. He quickly pushed it aside, reminding himself not to think about her or anyone else.
The slope of the floor slowly leveled out before becoming flat once more, and Grovyle was deposited into a massive underground cavern, completely taken up by a lake as calm and clear as glass, save for a strip of crystal flooring wrapping around the room's perimeter.
In the center, its blue-green glow reflecting off the surrounding crystals in a dazzling display of lights was the Time Gear. The final Time Gear. All that stood in Grovyle's way would be the guardian.
Grovyle, Celebi and Sol had discussed at length the best way to deal with the guardians. Grovyle had thought they should deal with Mesprit first, since she was believed to be the weaker of the three, if only slightly. Celebi had believed Azelf should be their first target before the other two.
Sol had just given them an exasperated look, as if they had just proposed that trees were made of cotten candy and it was up to her to set them straight.
"No," she had said. "Uxie first. He's knowledge personified, right? If go after any of the others before him, that just gives him time to think up a trap or strategy, and it's bound to be a good one. He will believe secrecy is his best defence, and it'll be best if he goes on thinking that 'till it's too late. Mesprit second. She'll be enraged when she learns of the other Time Gear being taken, and anger will make her act rashly and she'll make mistakes. Azelf will be last. Willpower may not sound like much when compared to the other two, but find someone who's stubborn enough and they'll be able to do just about anything. Just look at us. With his brethren defeated, perhaps his will will crack. It's not very likely, but it's the best plan I can come up with."
Neither Grovyle nor Celebi could think of a better plan nor could they find any holes in her logic. Here now, in Azelf's lair, Grovyle wondered just why Sol thought the legendary would be so difficult. Was willpower that much more important than knowledge or emotion? Grovyle didn't think so. A raving begger could have just as much determination as the most celebrated of heroes. But then again, just knowledge and emotion never would have gotten Grovyle this far. Not even close. What would be the point of the other two if one doesn't have the will to act or do anything with them?
Grovyle saw a long strip of crystal flooring that jutted out some distance into the lake. He ran around the room's perimeter to reach it, sure there would be where Azelf dwelled. It would be best to deal with him now before Grovyle tried swimming out to the Time Gear.
As Grovyle approached the end of the crystal path, a Pokémon jumped out of the lake in a shower of small droplets. Azelf looked much like Mesprit and Uxie, except he had a dark blue, triangular cap-like thing on his head.
Grovyle didn't wait for an invitation, and with a flick of his wrist sent a sleep seed spinning through the air towards the guardian. The fragile seed broke apart on impact, releasing a fine, green powder. It wasn't completely effective on the legendary Pokémon, but it was enough to daze him momentarily and stop him from using any pshycic moves.
Gorvyle dashed forwards with a Quick Attack, followed up with his Leaf Blade move. Azelf cried out as sharp leaves cut into his skin, leaving thin trails of blood. Grovyle grabbed onto his opponent, then flipped him overhead to land heavily on the ground.
Azelf's eyes began to glow a dark blue as he prepared an attack. Grovyle quickly used the move absorb, sucking out Azelf's energy like a parasite.
Thus began a fierce battle of wills. Azelf attempted to focus his power for a psycic attack while Grovyle struggled to drain him of that power and keep his own move working. Absorb was not a move designed to be used continuously for an extended period.
Despite Azelf's energy being drained into Grovyle, the grass Pokémon realized that he would lose control of Absorb long before Azelf was finished. One can not defeat a being of willpower in a long, drawn out battle. Grovyle knew he had to finish this quickly, for Azelf would never quit.
Grovyle dropped the Absorb and darted forwards. The leaves on his arms sharpened and stiffened as he prepared to use Leaf Blade. Released from Absorb, Azelf created a star shaped ray and attacked Grovyle with Swift.
Strengthened by his previous move, Grovyle pushed through the stinging pain and lashed out, badly damaging Azelf. He struck again, leaving a set of deep, bleeding lacerations. But still the Pokémon refused to give up, and his eyes glowed dark blue as Grovyle was hit with Confusion.
The ground seemed to tilt under Grovyle's feet, the world swaying from side to side. He fought against the feeling, focusing completely on Azelf as he tried to block everything else out.
Again and again he struck with Leaf Blade, continuing until the Confusion faded and Azelf was no longer able to fight. Grovyle turned from Azelf's shaking form and gazed upon the Time Gear at the lake's center. So close...
"No...You can't take it...Never..."
"It's over. I'm taking it and leaving, and you can't stop me."
"I know you, Grovyle. My siblings warned me that you would come. I also knew I might be unable to stop you... So I created a failsafe."
"WHAT?!" Grovyle whirled around in time to see Azelf's eyes glow a shocking shade of blue, and the cavern began to rumble.
What did he do?! Was he planning on bringing the whole cave down upon their heads?!
Then the shaking stopped as suddenly as it had started, and giant crystals sprouted out from the ground. They encircled the lake to form an impenetrable wall, completely blocking out access to the Time Gear.
Grovyle could only stare uncomprehendingly at the barrier. Did he truly come all this way, sacrificed so much only to fail now? Silence descended as all of this registered in Grovyle's mind, the only sound being the disturbed lake water sloshing back and forth in the small pools on either side of the crystal strip the Pokémon stood on, seperated from the rest of the lake by the crystal wall.
"What did you do?!" Grovyle shouted, voice full of rage.
"I've made sure you will never get the Time Gear, even in exchange for my life."
"I mean to get it and I will! Even if it means eliminating you, Azelf!" Grovyle snarled. He couldn't let Sol's sacrifice be in vain, no matter what.
"Stop!" a voice cried.
Grovyle was surprised to see a group of
Pokémon running along the crystal floor towards him. It was the same Eevee, Riolu and Cubone he had seen at the lake under the Northern Desert, but now accompagnied by a Charmander as well.
"You're not stealing another Time Gear!" The Eevee yelled as the group surrounded Azelf, blocking his path to the guardian.
That was a bold proclamation considering the results of their last meeting. But whatever respect Grovyle may have had for their persistance was firmly outweighed by his contempt for their ignorance.
"I have no quarrel with you," Grovyle growled. "Out of the way!"
"No! We'll never let you win!"
"You leave me no choice then..."
Suddenly, the Charmander lept forwards, her face set fiercely. Grovyle could see flames gathering in her mouth as she prepared her attack, still rushing forwards. Grovyle darted forwards to meet her, quickly closing the distance. Just before the Charmander released her attack, Grovyle rolled to the side while keeping his foot extended. The flames passed him harmlessly by while he tripped the Charmander, sending her sprawling.
"Damn it, Jak! I told you to stick to the plan!" the Riolu snapped while readying an ebony black staff in her hands. That was odd for a Pokémon to use a weapon, and watching her slip into a defensive stance brought forward painful memories.
The Riolu twitched her staff slightly in different directions, moving as if she were about to attack but never moving from her spot. It was a clever trick, if not overly original, but Grovyle and Sol had used similar tactics before. Have one make themselves seem like the more immediate threat, while another makes use of the distraction to use their own attack.
So Grovyle was ready when the Cubone threw his bone around like a boomerang. Instead of just dodging, Grovyle caught it out of the air, whirled around it threw it at the Riolu as he would a stick or iron thorn. Caught unprepared, it hit her directly in the stomach, knocking the air from her lungs and causing her to double over while gasping for breath.
Grovyle ran towards the Cubone, now weaponless. The Eevee tried to block his path, but he simply jumped over him, slicing downwards with Leaf Blade as he went to leave a line of red blood across his back. The Cubone seemed at a loss without his bone, and Grovyle grabbed onto him and spun them both around...
...Just as the Charmander, Jak, released a blast of flames. It hit the Cubone as Grovyle used him as a shield. The fire soon subsided as the Cubone cried out in pain, and Jak snarled with eyes narrowed. She didn't appear the least bit horrified of what she had just done, nor could Grovyle see a shred of guilt in her anger filled eyes.
With disgust of the 'team' that stood against him, Grovyle pushed the injured Cubone into the Charmander. The weight of the Cubone pushed the Charmander to the ground, where she struggled to push him off.
Grovyle was then taken by surprise when the Eevee tackled him from the side. Instead of fighting against it, he rolled with the passed on momentum, quickly able to jump to his feet. He hit the Eevee with Absorb.
The Eevee, unused to the feeling of having his energy drained away, wasn't able to defend himself when Grovyle struck, his Leaf Blade biting deep into the Eevee's shoulder, followed with a Quick Attack strong enough to send him skittering over to land beside Azelf.
And then it was just the Riolu Grovyle was facing.
For a moment she seemed torn between checking on her teammates and fighting Grovyle. Then her face hardened as she held her staff at the ready.
The Riolu struck first, her staff arcing towards him from the upper right. He blocked it with the leaf on his arm, strengthened from Leaf Blade to act as a sword. The Riolu stepped back out of range, judging and strategizing how best to fight.
And then Grovyle was no longer fighting some nameless Riolu deep in Crystal Cave. He was back in the future, fighting a human for a few berries. Then it changed once again and he was sparring with his friend, Sol, keeping themselves in practice for any enemies they may face.
The ebony staff lightened into a luminous white as he caught it between two crossed Leaf Blades. As the Riolu pulled back, her fur receeded and disappeared, and replaced by pale human skin and black clothing. She swept her staff around and as Grovyle parried, her snarling face turned to one of amusement and mischief, as if everything was one big joke only she was in on.
Despite everything, Grovyle found himself grinning as they fought. Sol could find something to laugh about in even the direst of situations, even if her sense of humor could be dark or off-colour at times. Sol always found a way to get things done, no matter how impossible...
The staff cracked against Grovyle's arm, and sudden flash of pain dragged him back to reality. This wasn't Sol he was fighting, just some stupid, ignorant Pokémon who just happened to use a staff. Sol was gone, most likely dead, and Grovyle would never see her again.
A wave of anger crashed against Grovyle, threatening to consume him. Sol was dead, and this Riolu was trying to ruin the mission she had sacrificed her life for. Grovyle would die before he let that happen.
He grabbed the end of the staff and pulled, ignoring the sharp pain in his hand from where the dense wood hit. The Riolu was taken off balance and was yanked forwards several steps. Grovyle slashed across her exposed stomach with his Leaf Blade. She screamed as a curtain of red blood poured out of the wound.
Grovyle grabbed her by the arm and threw her away, and she fell of the crystal floor to land in the water with a splash.
Grovyle didn't wait to see if she resurfaced. He stalked back towards Azelf only for the Eevee to struggle to his feet and stand in his way. Blood saturated the fur around the wound on his shoulder and back and he was obviously in pain, but he refused to quit.
"Get out of my way!" Grovyle snarled.
Nothing. The Eevee just stood there, looking Grovyle straight in the eye without a hint of hesitation or doubt.
"You refuse? Then you leave me no choice."
Grovyle readied his Leaf Blade. Nothing and no one would stand in his way. He would see this mission through.
"STOP!"
Grovyle's blood turned to ice at the sound of that voice. Slowly he looked up, dreading the moment when his eyes confirmed what his ears had heard.
Dusknoir. He had followed him here, followed him to the past to stop them from changing the future. Here was the face of Grovyle's, Sol's and Celebi's enemy, the one they had fought against for so long. Grovyle felt a fierce loathing build up inside him as he gazed upon the ghost Pokémon. Dialga, at least, had an excuse for his actions. The damage to Temporal Tower had corrupted him, driven him insane, but everything Dusknoir did was with a clear head. He was well aware of the consequences of his actions, all driven by cowardice. Here was the one Grovyle despised above all others.
"It's been too long! It wasn't easy finding you, Grovyle!"
"Even here... You chased me even here! You're tenacious, all right! You cling to me beyond expectation!"
"Grovyle, you're not getting away this time! You will pay for your crimes, for what you have done before and to Team Wanderers now!"
"Dusknoir... I'm surprised to see you in this world," Grovyle said, trying to buy himself some time to think of what to do. He didn't want to risk a fight. "But I'm ready!"
"So you'll fight. So be it." Dusknoir threw his arms into the air. "But can you win? Against ME?"
Probably not, Grovyle thought as he snuck a hand around to reach into his pack. He felt the cool, smooth surface of an orb and grabbed onto it, hoping it was the right one. When Dusknoir advance, he threw it to the ground and closed his eyes.
The room was consumed in a bright, white light. As the effects of the Luminous orb faded, Grovyle fled from the room while everyone else was still blinded. As he ran looking for an exit, he noticed that the Riolu was no where to be seen. He dismissed that as unimportant and continued running.
KDTFT: Thanks for the review and yay for addicted fans! If I do end up being one of those authors who abandons their stories half way through, please raise an angry mob to storm my residence. Use real torches, though. Don't half ass it with flashlights or glowsticks.
In all seriousness, though, I won't be quitting this story until it's done, and I know how annoying it is when someone just stops. I'll be doing quite the opposite, really, having already started a sort of sequel (which was really just an excuse to use all my ridiculous ideas) and I may or may not write a prequel about Sol and Grovyle first working together to find the Time Gears. I haven't decided yet, so no angry mobs if I end up not doing it for some time.