A group of Sabeleye waited outside Crystal Cave. Each was very afraid. They knew, Master Dialga was very angry with the failure of stopping the human. They had witnessed Dialga punish agents in the past, but Dusknoir has surpassed expectations. Surely Master Dialga could show some mercy!

Dusknoir exited the cave. His expression, more determined then ever, it seemed. The group surrounded Dusknoir, and chattered wildly. "Well? What will happen now?"

Dusknoir at first didn't answer. He didn't even look at them. But when he did, he looked at the group. He pointed to six of them. "You, come with me. The rest of you, return to Temporal Tower."

The six Sabeleye he chose followed him around a few large boulders, and to their surprise, Master Dialga stood tall.

"M-Master Dusknoir, what's going on?" one asked, a bit frightened.

Dusknoir looked and said, "Master Dialga formed a plan, in case this failure would happen. We are going to go to the past. And bring Grovyle and Layne back."

"Isn't that easier said than done, Master Dusknoir?"

"Yes. However, Grovyle's capacity to travel back in time...is limited. Our capacity however, is not. We will be going back, much farther than Grovyle. This will ensure his capture..."

Grovyle and Layne walked through the forest. The forest for a moment, seemed peaceful to Layne. Everything was going great. They now had the locations of all five Time Gears. Layne remembered briefly about what Grovyle said, the day he came here. They had to go collect each, and then place them somewhere inside Temporal Tower, before it collapsed. But...

Grovyle stopped. There was a glow up ahead. Grovyle smiled. "Here we are."

Celebi suddenly appeared in front of them. "I've been waiting." she said, smiling. "I presume it all went well?"

Layne gave a small smile, "Better than well."

Celebi nodded, and they followed her. They followed her to a blank area of forest. Up against a cliff wall, there was what seemed to be a doorway. Only this doorway, looked like it lead into another dimension. Layne took a deep breath. There was no turning back now.

Layne finally spoke up. "Okay, we know where each Time Gear is. I also remember that you gotta make a trip to this Temporal Tower place, and stuff, but I still feel like I'm not getting a full picture here. I think it's time you both updated me."

Grovyle looked at Celebi, nodded, then looked at Layne. "This next part of our mission, is going to be very dangerous. The world of the past is a mystery to us all, and we have very little ideas on how life was back then. The chances of our activity taking the Time Gears, will most likely not go unnoticed, and there is a good chance that pokémon like Dusknoir, existed in the past, and will give it their all to stop us...me."At that Layne gave a surprised look to Grovyle. "You? Am I missing something here?"

Grovyle sighed. "Layne, we owe a great deal to you. Without your help, we never would have gotten this far as to finding the Time Gears, or getting the support we needed from the Union. Last night, Celebi and I talked. We do not wish to put you at anymore of a risk than we already have. I'm going to the past, alone."

There was a silent moment. And Layne, actually laughed, much to Grovyle's surprise. "Layne, what's so funny?"

"Nothing. Forgive me, but as moving as that was, Grovyle, you are forgetting a few things. I was sent here, to see Time Restored. I've only set the board for you." There was silence for a few seconds, before Layne continued on. "You also forget, that we're partners Grovyle. There's no way I'm going to let you go to the past without me. I will see this through to the end, like it or not."

Grovyle looked at Celebi, who giggled a bit, then looked at Layne and said, "Are you sure Layne? There is much more risk than here."

Layne chuckled and said, "If I can survive this, I can survive anything. One more thing. This goes beyond being partners Grovyle. You once asked me if I considered you a friend." He looked at Celebi too. "To be honest, I haven't known much friendship than what I see here. You're not just friends to me. You're much more than that. Both of you. And as your friend, I will be there, to help you carry this burden."

Grovyle looked at Celebi then back at Layne with the smile he was famous for. "If that is your decision, then I would be honored, Layne, to have you by my side, to finish this mission together."

Layne smiled and said, "That's what I like to hear."

"Then it's settled," Celebi said. "You will both finish the mission in the past."

Layne looked at Celebi, "You mean you're not coming?"

Celebi shook her head. "I will be needed here by the Union, and I will tell them that your mission is well underway. For us Layne, this is where we say goodbye."

Layne felt a little sadness in these words, but walked over to the hovering pokémon, and smiled. "Your spirit has helped me along this trail, very much. And I thank you for that."

Celebi giggled, "Now now, no one likes a long face!" she said, laughing.

Grovyle looked at Celebi and nodded, "I owe a lot to you Celebi. If this is the last time we meet, then let me at least say, thank you, for everything."

Celebi blushed a bit, and said, "Grovyle, please..."

Layne chuckled at the scene that was happening. He fought the urge to say a phrase known back on Earth.

Grovyle looked at the passage. And gave off a sigh. "It's not easy."

Layne looked over, "What?"

"We're about to risk everything. This is the point of no return. It's kinda hard, knowing that if you succeed, no one will ever know. Who will talk about us? Once our task is complete, we will disappear. There is nothing that can be done about this."

Layne sighed. He too shared Grovyle's feelings. "I know what you mean. To be truthful, part of me is very scared. I don't know what it's like to be erased from existence. But, then again, what have I lost? Life as I knew it back on Earth, was hell. I'm glad as I am right now. Knowing, I have friends. I share my friends goal now. I have nothing to lose."

"As do I." Grovyle said.

Celebi also joined in that, "I share your words!"

"Then let's make history." Layne said. And he held up a hand.

Grovyle looked at the hand, and embraced it. "Are you ready?" he asked.

"Born ready." Layne said. Layne took one last look at Celebi, and said, "Take care of yourself, Celebi. Godspeed."

Celebi nodded at them. "Good luck. We're all counting on you."

"Exactly..." a voice called out.

Before anyone could react, a pokémon, none of them had seen before appeared, and shot an attack at Layne and Grovyle. Both of them separated and dove out of the way.

"I cannot allow you to go back through time." the voice said. "I happen to like the world as it is."

Layne called out, "Who are you?" The voice didn't sound at all like Dusknoir, though one look at the pokémon and one could point out some similarities. Celebi teleported out of range, but was trying to think of some way to help Layne and Grovyle.

The pokémon said again, "You are all going down."

"try this for size." Layne said, throwing a rock at the pokémon's head. The rock bounced off the pokémon's head, which made it angrily shoot an attack at Layne. Layne barely dodged it as he dove behind a bigger boulder.

Grovyle then saw an opportunity to attack, and he went in, and attacked the pokémon, using the attack he called "leaf blade." The pokémon then saw who the bigger threat was. A pokémon using attack moves was more threatening than a human throwing rocks. It charged up an attack at Grovyle, while Grovyle was recovering from his last attack.

Like before, Layne shouted out, "Grovyle!"

Grovyle had time to glance at Layne, before the pokémon fired it's attack...and hit Layne dead on.

Grovyle tumbled to the ground, and looked up. Layne had once said, he didn't pull rash moves out often, but he was capable. Layne had just saved Grovyle again. Grovyle ran over to his fallen friend, "Layne! Say something."

Layne stuttered, and spat out some blood. "That...really...hurt..."

"Having second thoughts?"

Celebi then teleported in front of them and used an attack of her own, managed to stun the pokémon. While she held him at bay, she looked back, "Go!"

Grovyle looked at Layne, who nodded, and with that, they embraced hands again. Grovyle helped Layne back up and they took one last look at their mysterious attacker.

"Any clue on who he is?" Layne asked.

Grovyle shook his head. "I don't wish to find out either."

"Then let's start the fun." Layne said with a small smile.

With that, Grovyle and Layne ran for the Passage, and entered.

The pokémon, in a fury, watched them enter, and shouted, "NOOO!" and unleashed a massive attack at Celebi, who simply teleported out of the way.

"Boy, you really have some anger management issues." and she teleported away, deactivating the Passage as she left...

Upon entering the passage, Layne's head began to spin. He and Grovyle, still embraced hands, but were floating in some sort of haven. But Layne felt like they were going faster than light. It was then, that a familiar voice entered his mind.

"Your deeds that have been done here, Layne, have raised the hopes of many. Your work, though far from completion, draws that much closer to an end. I knew, I chose well..."

Layne looked around. "Palkia?"

"You however will remain at risk, without further means of defense. So upon you, my friend, Giratina and I bestow upon you, one last gift."

Layne looked around. He no longer saw Grovyle, but still felt his embraced hand. And even heard his voice. Layne however said, "Palkia? What do you mean? Who is Giratina?"

Palkia ignored him, "Use this gift well, Layne. But above all, learn to use it quick, for this gift varies among many people. Who you are, defines it, and how it works. And once you master it's many talents, it will greatly benefit both you, and your friends. Farewell, Layne, and good luck..."

Layne called out, "Wait! Palkia!"

He heard Grovyle's voice, "Hold on Layne! We're going in!"

Time around Layne began to slow. He also began to feel dizzy and nauseous. All around his body, it felt like it was churning, and twisting, as if in constant change. And the pain, was extraordinary. Layne growled, closed his eyes, and gritted his teeth. "Grovyle! I-I can't-"

"Hold on Layne! Here we go!"

Layne was free falling. The pain had finally stopped for the most part, but he still fought to hold onto Grovyle. He felt like he had lost some grip all of a sudden. They were both falling. Layne, his eyes still closed, saw lightning flash beneath his eye lids, and he felt the sudden wetness of a down-pouring rain. Lightning flashed again, and thunder roared. It was all too close for Layne's comfort. They continued falling, until finally they both hit water.

They both entered the water, and were engulfed. The currents all around them churned and threatened to break the grip of Layne and Grovyle. Layne kicked with all his might and they broke the surface of the water. Layne could barely see in the pouring rain, but he could tell they were in the middle of an ocean.

Grovyle's voice broke through the storm, "Are you okay?" Layne didn't answer, he couldn't. "Layne! Don't let go! Whatever you do, don't let go!"

The sea water in Layne's eyes prevented Layne from seeing straight. And he felt his strength slowly disappearing. His grip was weakening.

"I can't...I...I..."

Lightning flashed.

"Layne! Come on now! Just a little longer! You can do it! Come on, hang on!"

Layne fought to hold on, but his strength was rapidly disappearing, and the might of the ocean was just too much. Layne lost Grovyle's hand, and his direction. Layne tried to go back, but sea-water just entered his mouth. He coughed it away, and tried to go back to his partner, but was useless against the strength of the ocean. The last thing he heard his partner call out, was his name.

Then a wave washed over Layne. Layne struggled, and broke the surface. He was getting dangerously close to overworking himself. He was too tired to make himself stay afloat, and the storm's might and ocean's wrath wasn't making it any easier. Perhaps traveling through the Passage of Time had drained him of his energy? Whatever it was, he was exhausted. It felt as if someone had literally just drained all the life out of him. Layne wanted rest, but he was clearly not going to find that here.

Another wave washed over him, and forced him under. As he kicked for the top yet again, he was beginning to wonder if this was it for him. He had heard many things about drowning. Some dreaded it, some said it was a peaceful death, and some said, it was a dreadful death. Struggling, suffocating in the cold. Perhaps he would soon find out. His head broke the surface of the water, just in time for lightning to light up yet another wave heading his way. Layne at least was ready for this one.

The wave approached, and Layne took in a deep breath, then the wave washed over him. Layne had not felt such power in water before. The wave forced him down deep. Layne, was at one point, a fairly strong swimmer where he came from, but as a human, his breath capacity, was very limited, and his mind was racing. Which way was up? How deep was he? ... Why did he see somewhat better underwater than before? He finally found which direction was up, and kicked with all his might up. It was very strange. By now, his lungs would be burning for air...and he felt little to no strain at all. Plus the water around him. It didn't feel as cold as it normally would have been against his skin. This wave had indeed pushed him deep, because a good minute passed, and he was still swimming up. Layne simply thought, "I'm already dead..." The thing was, he did not feel dead at all. In fact...he felt alive.

It was then that his head finally broke the surface. He gasped for air, and let all the air he had been holding out. He couldn't believe it. Perhaps he had simply been lucky, but Layne never before in life, had held his breath that long. He had been down there for maybe two minutes. How? That thought was shaken away. The swim had taken a lot out of him, and once again he was feeling the effects of his strength, just draining away. Layne could not see anything, and he no longer heard his long lost partner. He hoped Grovyle was okay. He was a tough pokémon to bring down, the ocean would not bring him down as easily as it would Layne. Layne wished he had as much chance as Grovyle did, but the last of his strength, was gone now. He ceased moving.

Strange.

He had ceased moving, yet somehow he still floated. Layne knew he was a lightweight, but the currents would have easily taken him down by this point. It actually was almost as if something kept him floating. But that thought was shaken away as lightning flashed yet again, and lit up something that Layne wasn't so fond to see. A cliff. Normally, right now, land would seem like paradise to Layne, but the way he was going, it didn't seem that way. The ocean was taking him to a grouping of very large and uncomfortable looking boulders. Layne tried to summon the strength to swim away, but he couldn't find it anymore. A large wave, carried Layne, and threw him against the rocks. Layne hit the rocks hard. His chest was bruised, and cut. Layne fell and hit the back of his head, hard, and he knew nothing more. The water carried him away. He was now completely at the ocean's mercy. The last thing he saw, before blacking out, was his lifeless hands, trying to cling to the surface. It was very strange. He didn't ever remember being so...hairy...

Grovyle crawled out of the water. He was tired, soaking, sore, but most of all, heart-broken. He had lost Layne. Layne was gone. He knew he should have told Layne to stay, and now, because he did not do that, there was a chance, Layne had drowned. Grovyle knew nothing of humans, were they capable of surviving the ocean during a storm of that might? Grovyle was surprised he survived it himself. Shortly after he and Layne got separated, Grovyle was bumped in the water by a drifting log, which he clung to. Grovyle too had to fight off massive wave, but he was actually made a bit stronger by the water. He was a grass type. Water helped him.

His mind drifted back to Layne as he stood up, looking at the night sky, which was actually starting to show light. He breathed. Was Layne really gone? Dead?

...

No he couldn't be. The odds were against him, but Layne was not just any human. Layne had survived attack after attack in the future. The ocean would not take him down. Grovyle had to keep faith. Celebi had told him not to lose faith, and had been right all along in the long run. "Layne," Grovyle said, "Stay safe. Remember our mission. I will find you, I promise."

It was then, that the sun began to show light. Behind Grovyle. Grovyle turned around as the sun slowly rose.

Never before had Grovyle seen such a sight. He fell to his knees, and actually began to cry a bit. He never thought that what he came to save, would be as beautiful as he thought. The light showed the true life in the land, and seeing it all, Grovyle now truly knew, that his life was worth it all. He was now filled with more motivation than ever, to go and stop Temporal Tower from collapsing.

He turned around and looked at one last thing. The ocean.

Layne was right. It was indeed a beautiful sight. Full of motion. Grovyle didn't see how it calmed Layne, but perhaps, that was just him. Grovyle clenched his fist, remembering his promise to Layne. He would find him, soon. But first he had to figure out where exactly he was. He could not forget his mission...

Layne was completely uncomfortable. He was soaking wet, his body was battered, cut and bruised, and he had a splitting headache, almost as if someone had just nailed a spike into his head. He continued drifting in and out of consciousness. He had no clue how long he had been like this, but he felt the suns warmth on his body...and he heard the calming waves of the ocean, and even felt them.

Layne tried to find it in himself to wake up, but he could not find the motivation, or the strength. He drifted once again, back into darkness, and out of consciousness.

END PART I