Chapter Two—A Time Guardian

A 'few' minutes ago.


Pain. All they could feel was pain, a few scratches and bruises, body aching wanting rest and to just stay there no matter what the current situation was at, but they knew something was wrong immediately when they regained consciousness, everything, new things, assets and even less clothing, height, weight, and other things that they could just point out... Something wrapped around their neck with a somewhat soft texture, with, and how cold the air felt, slowly managing to get up finally.

But they instantly fell to the floor, using their hands-Wait what? Instead of human hands, as they had suspected, there was only forepaws, being blue and having bumps upon the back of its forepaws, three digits, and conveniently a small gentle pond of water that was in the room, they had managed to sat up, looking down at it to get a view of themselves, finally something to at least clear up what's happening, when they finally did see, it made them shudder and confused only more,

"W-What..? N-Nonsense it cannot b-be, a-and w-why thou' a.. Blue-painted d-dog?" They had tilted their head softly, and the clear reflection did the exact same, seeing a black 'Mask', light-hazel eyes oddly, mostly noticing his body was light-blue, black torso and legs, ears too? That were rather floppy and attached to the side of his head, a black-charcoal, "P-Perhaps I must b-be within a c-comma.. O-Or asleep! C-Certainly. B-But why this place and why it must appear familiar? E-even m-my accent changed!" The small blue, Aura Pokémon spoke to himself, more confident and less afraid, knowing it had to be a dream "Mmwh, what was thy' species, again... Ah! A Riolu, even though tis' not my favorable Pokémon. But I will need to see upon this mysterious and dangerous-looking baffling place." They finally looked around the room, brown stone was the floor, and stone entirely of the walls around him, the room wasn't that small, and was oddly empty, getting slowly up and looking what was hanging from his neck, and what was this odd smooth-cloth that wrapped around a certain spot.

A satchel, leaking a liquid, peering inside was a cracked flask, made of steel and leaking out fresh water, makes sense why it appeared wet and the puddle was there too.

Surprisingly, only thing was inside is a torch, sadly nothing to light it, luckily, with however nothing special about it, maybe made of leather, hard to tell, and a cloth wrapped around his palm, and being rather lengthy to go up to his shoulder, being made of velvet? Or silk, he'd find out more thing's later, if he can and noticed how it had a bright-crimson tint to it, once he had gained enough courage, he slowly stood up on his hind-legs, examining more of himself curiously, "Seems too realistic to thy'.." As he had decided to take off the cloth, and wear it around his neck and body, too cold to bear the strange places temperature, and having heard a roar of a beast! Suddenly in the distance, making him quickly head to it, the only exit out of the room was a dark hallway, even if it was a dream, he was eager to explore and possibly himself killed, as he went down the dark hallway, his eyes trying to adjust to the darkness, and wondering why exactly there was some dim lighting in the previous room, excitement and the burning sensation to explore fueled him, even if he didn't know what lied ahead.


As two particular Pokémon, a fully evolved Vaporeon and Luxio, were sticking together, going through a certain tower as well, having encountered a Bronzong, the annoying duel-type of Psychic-Steel, and bulky not to mention it was annoying the two, having accidentally came across it in the darkness, having dispatched of it quickly however, Cady, being a Vaporeon was quickly freezing it in place, despite it gently levitating a mere inch or two from the ground, letting out the cold-harsh energy from her mouth, "Star! Didn't you state you've already surveyed the area before leading us to the Diagla?" The female Vaporeon had said, in a bit of annoyed tone, "Well excuusse me, princess~! I technically didn't recall a Bronzong getting here." He had said sarcastically and rolled his eyes, getting close up to it, electricity showing up at his sharp-claws, crackling softly before booming and releasing around him, which was distant enough for the Water-type to not be harmed.

The large green-blue bell roaring out, barely able to react, and slamming into the floors wall, making a crater impact lightly, and cracking the ice around its steel-body and definitely fainting from the duo-attack, as they casually left the room, from a split path, taking the left one, as the Luxio's tail was a small enough light source to guide them, "Uhm.. Why exactly did Dialga recall us here? He wants to join the team again, or what?" Cady had asked, curiously yet confused, getting a quick answer. "Well, if you read the letter, he wanted us to investigate an anomaly or something, he sensed, that might disturb the time-gears again, which is surprising actually, and he might need my Dimensional Scream... And wonder if it's Dusknoir again." He said somewhat paranoid, and looking back at her, as the continued to step towards the end of the hallway, ahead there was stone stairs, a few feet away in the empty room, going upwards, leading to where Diagla laid and light showering from above from the Dungeon.

As once they had stopped, and the Vaporeon was about to ask something else, she was stopped, after hearing something in the distance, gentle footsteps going towards them, and one thing she hadn't heard at all exactly in the Temporals spire was footsteps, since there was only Pokémon that either hovered or flew, and it was sprinting too, both looking back. "Star? I think someone else is here too?" Saying in a nervous tone.

When figure was going towards the bright light, heading to it excitedly, finally finding a way out of this confusing mess, and hoping to find the exit, running even on the toes, finding that it was much easier after catching their breath, however they soon stopped, and only walked slowly before seeing two other figures was ahead, and blocking the path too.

A quadruped feline, the tail was mostly what was odd about it, a star-figure, the colors of blue and black was covering most of its fur, front-half mostly blue, and hindquarters black, a tuft and fluff-looking mane, somewhat of a hybrid a lion too, another quadruped, aquatic light blue, and dark-blue going down its ridge, though the figure tried recalling its species names and was surprised to find others in this weird place, and it was rather awkward, the two veteran Dungeon Explorers meeting someone else in a forbidden land, especially considering the fact it was surpassingly a young Riolu! Looking bruised up, and dirty too, the Luxio quickly was closed up upon before he even noticed, surprised and staying quiet, not sure if they were hostile or not, and the same going for the other two. "Interesting, you don't seem hostile or have that crazy-look within your eyes, say kid? How did you even get here? Did Larpras or Dialga sent you? And not to mention, make it alone this far, or you followed us somehow?" The male Luxio asked aggressively and paranoid of their presence, examining him there, head-to-toe, and going around him, "Hold on Star, maybe. Uh, they're lost? They look to frightened and weak to exactly even make it up here, this far on Temporal Tower," She said, trying to reassure her partner and dragging him back by the scruff, with a single paw.

The male Riolu was confused and rather surprised, he can re-call that place now, and why it seemed familiar, Temporal Tower! Was he really having a dream upon a video-game? It seemed strange, but did make sense from why it seemed weird to awaken in a room alone, nowhere else, but he decided to play a-long, he quickly wanted to make up a backstory and everything, but first he decided to answer and come up with a fake name, using his original would be risky, 'Reynard' it was, as his lips moved to speak, "Thy' has been indeed called upon here, however, the assistance of who has helped me reach here, but to remain a secret. Pleasure to meet you two, thy' name is.. Azel, from the Kingdom of Astardon, a forgotten land in trouble, and acting as behalf as an ambassador from the king." He said with a soft smile, however, he was indeed nervous from the two being here, and randomly conjuring thinking up of a Kingdom and not to mention forgetting what continents there was within the large world. "I do indeed apologize for being ruffled and uncleansed at the moment, I encountered some trouble a-long my way," He moved half of his torso down, bowing to the two

Both had been rather surprised, one, that there was a Kingdom been forgotten and he was an ambassador! While they could be in deep trouble if anyone else had found out the rude impression they done, the accent did sound genuinely old and was some evidence to prove the Kingdom was maybe isolated, either that or they never had heard of it before, maybe war could happen!

Despite that sounding quite too dramatic, perhaps, and that there was another Pokémon that was allowed and called upon here like them, not to mention it wasn't only Larpras that knew how to get here, as the Aquatic-female spoken up. "A-Ah, a Kingdom, king too? U-um, we do apologize for our rude and strange b-behavior, sorry for my partners rude impression," She said jabbing at him at the side, with a paw, as she continued "Just always paranoid, a-and I am Cady! A-And my partners Star, we never really knew anyone else was here, t-though we can make it up back at Treasure town, if you know where it is? You seem injured also, we can patch you up there too." She pointed at the cloth that was wrapped around his palm and going to his shoulder, assuming it was some sort of injury obtained, and how a small scruff of hair was on top of his head too, as the now guilty feeling Star was about to speak up, he was cut off from the Riolu, saying in a friendly tone, and warm smile, "Tis' fine! I presume that's what the greeting is for everyone here? And I'll be shortly arriving, after a nap for a mere moment or two, best not to keep the Warden of Time not awaiting, yes?" He pointed out, trying to make them remember their current important objective.

The reminder worked, both nodded and quickly headed up the stairs, realizing if they were late and talking to the new friend was in-fact going to make Dialga impatient and not wanting to keep their mind off the new anomaly or what'll threaten the Time gears this time, as they left quickly, as 'Azel' or Reynard waved them off, and soon enough was left alone. Sighing out and leaning up against the wall once more, thinking how he could get back to Treasure Town, and thought up of something rather crazy, but it was his only shot.

He unwrapped the large 'cloth' that was around his shoulder and palm, turning it inside out first, then warped it around his whole body around it, not wanting to risk being caught and ruin his first impression upon the two, he was going to do it, he was going, after gaining enough confidence, he left the Dungeon finally.


When Star and Cady finally left the Dungeon and their new pal behind, Dialga was awaiting there surprisingly, laying at the floor, seemingly they've already lost patience and quickly arise from the ground, speaking in the usual masculine tone, speaking up, with a booming voice, "Finally! You two have arrived, I thought I wouldn't see Arceuse's daylight by the time you two came here, what took you such a long time?" 'He' despite having no gender oddly did sound male, "W-We well.. U-Uh, meet someone new, and had to apologize to them for our rude behavior, t-though what concerns you Dialga?" Star spoke up there, Cady however stayed quiet, jabbing at the Luxio again, wanting to hear out and take notes, but having whispered into his ear, while holding a familiar metal flask, broken though with a hole at the bottom, "Uhm, I think that Azel person dropped this earlier, Star. Remember to give it to them when we see them at the town." She said quietly and gave it to him, since he was the only one that carried a small bag, since they've were much weaker when they first entering this Tower, not needing to carry everything with them on this Journey.

As he had casually grabbed the metal broken flask, and opened the satchel, however, everything seemed to stop? This seemed quite familiar, and he quickly recalled what exactly he was feeling, a Dimensional Scream! However, this one seemed stronger then ones he felt before! In the past, a cloaked figure, taller and was on top of a pillar that wasn't destroyed, threatening for Dialga to open a tear within time, as it progressed, it seemed faster than anything he saw, or can exactly predict and... Before he can see the rest, it was only a fuzz, before he felt himself getting a headache, rubbing a paw at his forehead.

Dialga seemed to sense something from the Luxio, as he had spoken in a stirn voice, "Star. I had felt something dangerous coming nearby, did you have sense it too? And what was your vision?" He asked, looking around the pillars and sky, sensing something, "Who else is here?! To dare trespass upon my land and dare threaten time itself while I am here!" He roared out, as he noticed something upon a pillar, rather taller then the Riolu noticeably, and covered in a cloak, at the entrance where the Mystery Dungeon's exit laid. As it spoke, in a mischievous voice giggling, "Ohohoho, a Time Guardian? Scary! I didn't suspect this to be filled with someone actually guarding it, must be pretty lonely! So I decided to visit! And you two have some good loot upon you lads!" Pointing at Star and Cady, both having not somehow realized, but the seeds that they've collected upon the Dungeon was gone! And even some Poké! As he snarled out at the mischievous stranger, "I knew I couldn't have trusted that damned strange Riolu! I had it in my guts and feeling he was after the Time Gears! And give our items back and surrender! Or you'll be regretting messing with us!"

While Cady on the other hand was surprised, not suspecting it could've been him exactly, or a Dimensional Scream to happen so early upon them, "A-Azel?! H-How c-could you! W-We thought you were on our side!"

"Huh? Azel? Ooohh, hehe, you mean that silly Riolu that's back at Treasure Town, I'm not them, and besides, they're very valuable with some of the world's greatest and secrets I've heard up of yet~! And I'm surprised you hadn't seen through that disguise either~" Giggling out only more then, before she spoke again, "Now now, I might not take a Time Gear, ifff..~ You open up a Time Rift at Treasure town, or near it, try anything funny, and I'm sure you'll have a fun time with my 'friends' here, they're just too shy at the moment, including at Treasure Town, if they don't see me very soon~" They threatened, and gave out a soft laugh, "You think I wouldn't go alone right?" The threat did sound real, and the sounds of wind had howled through the top of the tower there, as the Guardian of Time started to burst, "Humorous! You think I would believe such lies at all? And how can exactly we even take your word, I didn't hear even a single noise then either if your 'allies' are here!"

The cloaked figure seemed annoyed, and one can imagine them rolling their eyes, "And how exactly are you isn't Illusionist as myself able to do such a thing, and how else was I able to be a Riolu, nor' am I that small as one. Besides, I can tell you much more private info if you'd wish. Such as the human world, Cady unable to enter the Guild at first until meeting you, when you ended up on that beach meeting Cady, defeating Darkrai, beating the other guild members during graduation, being reunited when you fixed the timeline, and much more~! Star, wouldn't you want to listen to it? After all, you seem to be forgetting you were once human." They scolded.

They seemed pretty knowledgeable of the two, and perhaps even others as well, concerning glances were given against each other, before Dalga responded, "..Very well, if you are much of a threat, and do know much upon us, I'll let you leave, empty-pawed however." As soon enough he sighed out, with a soft stomp in anger, and surprisingly, a shred or ripple within the fabric of time itself, like a piece of paper was what made their reality, and the sight of a Town within the distance, while being on a far away while made it clear where it was, "Ah! Goody, good, maybe I'll leave you alone for some time, until then ta ta!" A quick quiet nibble could be heard, and within an instant, they were a mere blur! And quickly gone too, from where they stood, the sound of glass shattering behind Dagla was surprising, and soon enough, they had been gone!

The Time Ripple couldn't sustain, and without the one of the Time Gears, and closed behind quickly, the figure used a darn Quick Seed or more! Faster than even Dagla could predict, which they were about to stomp upon the approaching foe but failed. And even a booming Roar! As time itself were sentient and able to give wraith upon others, knowing it would hit them no matter what, even if it would hit the other two, he knew they could stand a hit.


While with Reynard they were overjoyed that they had finished up the mission as they wanted too, using Geo Pebbles to make their height appear taller, then usual, and throwing them off with it, even, deciding to take the Time Gear either way, if they were being tricked by the legendary, and putting it into their satchel, cheering upon themselves, as they sat on the hill. "T'was simpler to triumph then expected! Though when thy' dream be finally over...?" They muttered quietly, before collapsing upon the dirt-floor, having been obviously using their energy to dash and steal the Time Gear, and even taking a mere hit, their body had limits, and even had bruises, and leaking out more blood from their waist and palm again once more.


Author Notes?: Please do note this is my first ever Mystery Dungeon fanfic, and uh, also looking for someone to perhaps help me upon with creating the world more and editing too, maybe.