Pyro was in pretty bad shape. Though he had only taken one or two hits from Grovyle, Grovyle had hit him very critically and Pyro was even partially paralyzed.. Layne was very worried about this, but Chimeco assured him that with her power she called Heal Bell, his paralysis would wear away, and his body would soon heal completely. Layne was very glad to hear that. Layne was not in the best condition himself, but he was moving. Pyro hadn't even woken up after two days. Layne's arm was partially broken after his fight with Grovyle, and it didn't help that after he had removed the sling that day, that he went right back into battle with Grovyle. His arm was currently in the sling again, and hopefully would be removed by tomorrow.

Layne was sitting next to Pyro's bed. Layne hadn't moved from the room in the two days Pyro had been laying there. Layne ate dinner there, meditated there, talked with anyone else who entered the room there. Now Layne wasn't stiff. He had stretched and stood and walked around the room while Pyro slept, but he had not set a foot outside the room. Autumn was most of the time the one bringing him food. Most of the time his dinner consisted of an apple or two,and Pyro had yet to eat a thing, so Layne had been saving up some food for his partner as well.

Pyro finally stirred. Now this wasn't the first time Pyro had stirred. Sometimes Pyro would roll over or even go as far as to groan, but his sleep would not be interrupted. However, this time, Pyro's eyes finally opened. Layne smiled at his partner and rested his left hand on the bed. "How are you doing, champ?"

"Layne?" Pyro managed to say.

Layne nodded. "Yes, it's me."

"Where...where are we?"

Layne smiled. "Where else? We're back home, at the guild. I think we're both lucky to be in one piece."

Pyro smiled a bit and said, "How are you feeling?"

Layne chuckled and held up the arm in the sling. "Was broken, but hopefully should be out of the sling by tomorrow. But enough about me, I should be the one asking you how you're doing. Despite taking only two hits or so, you took quite the beating. You feel your whole body?"

Pyro sat up, and said, "I...think so...why?"

"Well your tail flame was almost out when we got here. Chimeco said it was most likely due to partial paralysis. I think you're ship shape though now."

Pyro then looked at Layne. "That's right! What happened to Azelf? And the Time Gear?"

Layne held up a paw. "He's fine. The Time Gear is still protected. Azelf's actually here at the Guild. It's strange because compared to us, Azelf's injuries were not at all that severe. He's been rather healthy looking this whole time."

Pyro smiled. "That's good to know."

Chimeco then entered the room. Layne looked and smiled to her. "Morning, Chimeco. Look who's awake."

"Hello Pyro." Chimeco said with a smile. "Nice to see you awake again."

"Hi, Chimeco." Pyro said. Pyro's stomach then growled. "Man, how long was I out?"

Layne laughed and gave three apples to Pyro. "Eat up. You've been sleeping for two days now."

"Two days?" Pyro asked, biting into an apple. "Why didn't anyone wake me?"

Layne said, "You needed your rest. I was going to ensure that you got it."

Chimeco said, "The whole guild's been worried about you, Pyro. I should let the guild know you're awake."

Layne shook his head, "Not now. He just-"

Pyro interrupted him, "No. Please do, Chimeco."

Layne looked at Pyro, "You sure? You know how excited the guild can get."

"I would like to see them all again." Pyro said. "I don't want them to continue worrying about me."

Layne said, "Well you at least won't need to worry about too many questions. I took care of most of them." Layne said. Layne then looked to Chimeco, "Go ahead and alert the Guild, I guess."

Chimeco smiled and made a chiming sound. "Pyro just woke up, everyone!"

"Here we go..." Layne said as the sound of rushing feet entered his ears.

Every apprentice then came running into the room.

"He's awake?" Loudred asked. "That's AWESOME!"

"Yes, that's wonderful news!" Sunflora said. "Oh my gosh, we were so worried!"

"Golly, you can say that again!" Bidoof said. "I'm really glad you're awake now, Pyro! Yup, yup!"

"We've all been worried about you," Autumn said. "Layne especially. I don't think he's budged from that chair."

Layne chuckled and stood up. "Please...I don't know if I'd be able to forgive myself if anything happened to Pyro."

Pyro smiled. "You all are getting so emotional about this." Pyro then looked to Layne. "Layne, did you talk to them about Dusknoir and Grovyle?"

Layne looked at Pyro. He had almost forgotten completely about them. "No."

Pyro tried to stand up, "Well we better tell them now! While-"

"Pyro," Layne said, putting a paw on his partner. "You are going to rest a little more."

"I don't need rest!" Pyro objected. "We need to capture Grovyle!"

Layne said, "As admirable as you are right now, you will wait here, and eat. I will go and report to the Guildmaster what we learned about Dusknoir, and Grovyle. Understand?"

Pyro was a bit disappointed, but nodded. "Okay, Layne."

Layne popped his neck, and walked out of the room. Everyone except Chimeco followed him, as Chimeco continued to look after Pyro. Autumn caught up with Layne. "What did you learn? We haven't heard from Dusknoir or Grovyle in two days now."

Layne simply said, Let me get the Guildmaster and Chatot first."

Layne approached the Guildmaster's chamber and saw Wigglytuff and Chatot talking with Azelf. It was good to see Azelf also looking good. When they saw Layne and the Guild approaching, Chatot chirped. "Layne! Good to see you up on your feet! We heard Pyro is awake! Is he well?"

Layne smiled and nodded. "He is, Chatot. Thank you."

"I've been meaning to thank you, Layne." Azelf said.

Layne was confused, "For what?"

Azelf said, "You bought time, that could have been precious and enough for Grovyle to steal the last Time Gear. Because of you and his confrontation, Dusknoir was able to get there before anymore damage could be done. For that, thank you."

Layne nodded. "Your appreciation really is not needed. I did what I had to do. However, there is something that slipped my mind that is probably important for you all to know."

"What is it?" Wigglytuff asked.

"Pyro and I have a great suspicion that Dusknoir and Grovyle have been acquainted before."

"What?" Chatot asked. "You're saying that the great Dusknoir, and Grovyle may or may not have known each other from before all of this?"

Layne nodded. "When we met in Azelf's cave, Dusknoir appeared, as you all know. He and Grovyle exchanged words, and it very much sounded like they had known each other from a while back. I don't know any details, about this, unfortunately. It is just a suspicion."

"Well...then what became of Dusknoir?"

Layne shrugged, and massaged his arm in the sling. "Grovyle escaped. He most likely ran off in pursuit."

It was then that a blaring siren sounded from the outside. Layne had not heard it before, and it gave him chills down his spine. "Someone wanna tell me what that is?" Layne asked.

"It's the emergency siren!" Autumn said.

Dugtrio looked to where Diglett and did sentry duty, and shouted, "Diglett! What's going on?"

A few moments passed, and Diglett emerged. "It's an emergency call from Magnezone."

"Emergency call?" Autumn asked.

Diglett nodded. "He wants everyone to gather at the main square in Treasure Town. He has a very important announcement to make. This is a matter, that concerns not just the guild, but every resident of Treasure Town."

"What's this all about?" Layne asked himself.

"Oh my gosh!" Sunflora said. "An important announcement! What could it be about?"

"Hey, hey!" Corphish said. "There's no point in just wondering! We need to go."

Chimeco entered the room. "Pyro and I heard the siren go off. What's going on?"

Wigglytuff looked to Chimeco. "We have been called to Treasure Town, for an important meeting. You however should stay and look over Pyro. We will fill you in when we return."

Chimeco nodded, and returned to look after Pyro. Pyro however came out, and said, "I'm not going to miss anything else! If there's an announcement that needs to be made, I will hear it when it is made."

Layne looked around. The guild was all smiling, and Layne let out a laugh himself. "Stubborn as always. Let's go."

Upon reaching the main square of Treasure Town, Layne saw Dusknoir. Pyro saw him too, "It's Dusknoir!" All residents of Treasure Town were gathered. Some residents were even a little surprised that the Guild was assembled as it was.

Layne also saw Uxie and Mespirit, and a short distance away was Officer Magnezone.

Uxie saw Azelf, "Azelf"

Azelf heard and replied, "Brother and Sister!"

They joined together, in a brief reunion.

"Are you unhurt?" Mespirit asked.

"I'm okay." Azelf said. "The Guild has been more than hospitable to me."

"And the Time Gear?" Uxie asked.

"Safe. Safe in Crystal Lake." Azelf replied.

"Will it be safe without your protection?" Mespirit asked.

"For the moment, it will be safe." Azelf said. The entire lake is protected by an encasement of barrier crystals. For Grovyle to penetrate the crystal layer, It will be a hard task.

Dusknoir then saw Pyro and Layne and approached them. "Pyro and Layne!"

Layne didn't smile and if he were to cross his arms, he would have, had his right arm not been broken. Layne did not see why Dusknoir had left them the way he did. "Dusknoir..."

"You both are safe." Dusknoir said. "I am relieved."

Layne said nothing, but closed his eyes. Pyro said, "It's good to see you too."

Dusknoir then said, "I apologize for leaving you as I did."

"Why did you?" Pyro asked. "What happened?"

"I will explain everything, now." he said, and looked upon the crowd. "I gave chase to Grovyle, but he remains at large."

Pyro said, "I meant more about...what had happened at Crystal Cave's lake. Dusknoir,sir, you and Grovyle seemed as if you both were previously aquatinted."

The crowd began to talk amongst themselves at such a suggestion, but Magnezone calmed them all down. "If I may, Dusknoir has said he'd explain everything. Let him finish."

"Yes. Magnezone, please remind everyone about what this meeting is about."

Magnezone replied. "We are here to investigate the several thefts of Time Gears by the pokémon thief, Grovyle. Each region in which a Time Gear was held, Treeshroud Forest, Fogbound Lake, Limestone Cavern, and the North Desert, have all been frozen in time. This problem, can no longer be given so little attention."

He paused for a brief moment as the crowd had started chatting again.

Once the crowd stopped, he began again. "The good news is that Grovyle right now, has failed to grab the last of the five Time Gears. Crystal Cave's Time Gear remains untouched, thanks to Azelf's quick reflexes, and strategic thinking."

This prompted a round of applause for Azelf.

Magnezone also said, "And the one who saved Azelf, would be the great explorer, Dusknoir."

This prompted more applause for the explorer. Layne simply leaned into Pyro and said, "Yeah figures he'd give Dusknoir all the credit."

Pyro, who was applauding, simply said, "Without him, Layne, we would have been finished, and perhaps Grovyle would have succeeded."

Layne simply said, "...still..."

Dusknoir said, "Officer, I will take it from here."

"Of course." Magnezone said.

Dusknoir looked at the crowd. "While we should be happy that we've protected the Time Gear for now, Grovyle remains at large, and will stop at nothing, until that Time Gear is his."

Everyone murmured at this. Layne didn't see how this at all could seem surprising to anyone. For it certainly was no surprise to the guardian trio. Dusknoir spoke up. "There is another matter tied to all of this!" he called. "It is a very important matter that I must share with you all. I've been revealing a lot of secrets to you all. Some, secrets that you didn't wish for me to reveal, but had to be revealed."

Layne discretely nodded at that.

"Now, perhaps it's time that I revealed a few secrets of my own. Allow me to finally explain." Dusknoir sighed. "Pyro asked me the following question earlier. He asked me if I had known Grovyle from before everything here happened. The answer to that question, is yes. Yes I did know him, and I'm not proud to say I did."

The crowd grew into more chatter. Layne was getting a little annoyed. Did no one know not to interrupt a speaker here? Layne attempted to shout, "Will everyone please shut up?" But to little avail. His voice was barely heard over the voices.

Dusknoir rose his hands. "What I am about to say, will most likely be beyond everyone's belief. But it is the truth. But if I do not explain to you all the full calamity that your way of life is subject to, disaster is inevitable. So I ask for your undivided attention."

That got the crowd to quiet down a little.

Dusknoir sighed. "First. Grovyle, well...he's a pokémon from the future."

As soon as he said that, the whole crowd went berserk. Layne too, for once. "The future?" he repeated. "This is crazy."

Autumn simply replied, "Layne, it's possible. TIme Travel is possible."

"I don't know. I'm skeptical towards that."

"Grovyle," Dusknoir said, "From the world of the future, is a notorious criminal, wanted for crimes against the pokémon I serve. His bounty on his head, is very large. To avoid capture, he fled here. He fled to the past."

Layne spoke up, "Okay, how is this possible?"

Dusknoir looked to Layne. "He had the assistance of a special pokémon. When he arrived here, in order to prevent his capture, Grovyle came up with a very catastrophic plan. He would cause the planet's paralysis."

At the words "planet paralysis," Layne experienced something he hadn't experienced in a long time. Those two words sounded so familiar.. His head began to spin as his memory tried to start up once again. But once again, with no avail. Layne felt he was so desperately close to finally learning who he was, but nothing was helping him!

Chatot was curious. "What is the planet's paralysis?"

"If a planet becomes paralyzed," Dusknoir said, "all movement upon the planet ceases. When a Time Gear is removed, the flow of time slows in its region. As many more are taken, time will slow even larger throughout the area. Eventually, the time slows so much, that it stops entirely."

To Layne this seemed impossible, but his memory was still giving him twitches in the back of his mind, which were telling him to remain open to this. Layne knew that time would forever be...but could it really be stopped in such a nature?

"Ultimately, the planet reaches a state of total paralysis. The day never comes. The wind never blows. Spring or summer never comes, and darkness reigns. It is no exaggeration to call it, a complete ruin of the world."

Everyone got worked up again. Dusknoir's preaching of the world's end in the works was obviously not flowing well within the population.

"So THAT'S what happens if every Time Gear is taken away?" Loudred called.

Dusknoir simply said, "With the way time has been going out of control recently, yes, that would be the cause of the Time Gear thefts. If this continues, the world will be in ruin."

The crowd once again went into chatter. "Well we've got to do something!"

"This cannot happen!"

"We have to stop Grovyle!"

Corphish came forward, "Hey, hey! I have a question! I don't understand one thing."

"And what's that?" Dusknoir asked.

"I understand we have a big problem on our hands. But what I don't understand...well it's frankly about you Dusknoir. How is it that you know so much about this? Don't get me wrong, I respect you and all and I think you're a great explorer, full of wisdom and respect, but how can you know of future events?"

All eyes went to Dusknoir.

Dusknoir closed his one eye, and said, " A great question, and I have the answer for you, though it is not easy to explain, after keeping it secret for so long. But now, it's time I came clean. I also, am from the future."

The crowd went into chatter like not yet heard.

Pyro was astonished. "Dusknoir, is from the future!"

"By gosh and golly!" Bidoof exclaimed.

"Eek!" Sunflora said, "You can say that again!"

"One of my influences...from the future." Autumn said.

Layne however still remained skeptical. "I just don't know what to believe anymore."

"I was sent here," Dusknoir continued, "To capture Grovyle. It is for this reason, that I am here, a pokémon from the future. It was obvious that I would need to gather as much information about this world to ensure the capture of Grovyle, and- Excuse me."

Layne wasn't sure what that little stutter meant. If it meant anything at all. Who knew.

Dusknoir continued. "I studied everything I could about this world, while in the future, but gained much knowledge and experience as an explorer in your world, which is why I am so knowledgeable of your world. I hope you all understand that I have been in need to conceal such secrets for the time being. I apologize for my secretively. First, it would have alerted Grovyle to my presence. And second, who would have taken me seriously had I revealed my identity from the start?"

"It makes sense." Chatot said. Layne was starting to notice that Chatot was taking a rather unusual liking toward Dusknoir. Then again, Chatot was a worshiper of a Guildmaster who acted strange since the beginning of the guild for all he knew.

"But for my deceiving of you all, in keeping my true identity a secret, I must apologize."

"No! No, no, no no, not at all!" Chatot said. "You were doing the only right thing to do."

"I concur." Magnezone replied. "You have done nothing wrong. Let the focus be on Grovyle, and his capture."

"YEAH!" We're in DEEP trouble if we let Grovyle go unchecked!" Loudred shouted.

"So we should get him!" Sunflora said.

Wigglytuff spoke up, "The Guild and I are your personal assistants in the capture of Grovyle, Dusknoir!"

The guardians also spoke up. "We will cooperate as well." Uxie said.

"Yes!" Mespirit said. "I will no longer be a victim!"

"We will not let him steal the fifth Time Gear!" Azelf said.

Layne looked at Dusknoir. There was something about that look that just made Layne feel uncomfortable. Like Dusknoir was playing them. Perhaps Layne was just going paranoid. Dusknoir had been a big help, and his story did make sense.

"Everyone," he said. "I thank you all, very much. We...as pokémon...need to work together...as one, to capture Grovyle, and put an end to his...disastrous plot. Once and for all."

The triggered a round of applause from the crowd.

Azelf spoke up, "Dusknoir, sir! If Grovyle seeks to obtain the Time Gear from Crystal Cave, Grovyle will know, that he needs to defeat me. So it is apparent, that he will come after me."

Uxie spoke up, "Perhaps we can use this as a way to make anything Grovyle has planned, backfire! Myself, Mespirit, and Azelf can all go to Crystal Cave's Lake, while everyone spreads rumors claiming that we intend to seal the Time Gear for good, so that it can no longer be taken."

Mespirit nodded, "Dong this could provoke Grovyle enough to strike. We will then have an element of surprise, and catch him as he rushes in, out of desperation."

Dusknoir chuckled. "I see. You suggest we bait a trap. Clever. Very clever. However, you risk exposing yourself as the bait."

Mespirit said, "I would like nothing more."

Azelf complied, "If that means stopping Grovyle, we are all ready to risk anything."

Dusknoir nodded. "Then, I understand. We will use this as a plan. This will require everyone's full participation. I would like you all to start the spread of a rumor, far and wide, about how the three pokémon, Uxie, Mespirit, and Azelf, will return to Crystal Cave's lake to seal the Time Gear away,to prevent it's theft in the future. This rumor must be spread as much as possible."

"It makes sense." Chatot said. "You want Grovyle to hear about this."

"Yes, but Grovyle will not be convinced by rumor alone. So I must ask you three," he said to the trio, "To do something. You must really go to Crystal cave's lake."

Pyro said, "I understand! When Grovyle sees the trio, he'll know the rumors are true, and we can capture him then!"

"Precisely." Dusknoir said.

The crowd erupted with excited chatter. And everyone began to grow excited and offer help in assisting with the capture of Grovyle. Dusknoir however said, "I'm sorry. As grateful as I am for your kind offers, I prefer to work alone in the capture of Grovyle."

Everyone was shocked. "Why?" Chatot asked.

"Grovyle will be extremely wary. Even if he knew the trio had returned to Crystal Cave, he will remain cautious and extreme. So if we were to lay a massive ambush for him at Crystal Cave, he would undoubtedly notice the large amount of pokémon in the area. He then will be impossible to lure out like that. So because of this, I must ask you all to remain here, while the trio and I go to Crystal Cave to settle this."

"I get it..." Pyro said.

Layne simply said, "It makes sense. We cannot risk a frontal assault of that."

"Hopefully, his capture will go smooth with no mistakes made this time." Dusknoir said.

Chatot spoke up to the Guild, "So there you have it. Up to now, we were focusing on capturing Grovyle, but now we must t allow Dusknoir to do this. Yoom-taaah!"

Layne frowned and leaned into Autumn. "He often say that?"

"Yoom-tah?" Autumn asked. "It's Wigglytuff's catch phrase for the most part. I will agree, when Chatot says it...things just sound weird."

"Tell me about it." Layne said.

"We will provide only the support that we need to provide." Chatot said.

"Well, hey, hey, hey..." Corphish said.

Loudred spoke up. "If that's what it takes to put this nightmare aside, I'm for it!"

"So we have no choice." Sunflora said.

"I hope this is acceptable." Chatot said to Wigglytuff.

Wigglytuff then said, "Yup, yup!"

Layne frowned. "Is today catch phrase copying day?"

Bidoof seemed a bit overjoyed that the Guildmaster had said what he usually said.

Layne just shrugged, thankful that he really didn't have much of a catch phrase."

"Right." Chatot said.

Dusknoir then said, "Thank you for hearing me out, everyone. I know that I ask you all a huge favor, but please carry out your part of the plan, and...let us capture Grovyle using whatever means, necessary!"

That triggered one last cheer in the crowd. Layne shrugged as everyone cheered. "That's that..." he said to himself. He still however, felt a bit uncomfortable by everything he had just learned. He felt that this was at one point...a part of his life. Why did he feel such a way? It didn't make sense...

However his mind was taken off as Autumn said, "Layne, you in a daydream?"

Layne looked to see her and Pyro standing there. Pyro laughed. "He can get that way sometimes."

Autumn then said, "Well, let's not waste anymore time. We should get back to the Guild. For us, it's back to our normal lives, while everyone else has the fun."

"Fun, isn't it." Layne said.

That night, Layne had some trouble getting to sleep. Pyro heard him pop his neck a couple times before rolling over. "Layne, you okay?"

Layne sighed. "Yeah, just have a lot on my mind."

"You should rest. Tomorrow you'll have that sling off, again."

"Yeah, I know." Layne said, "But right now...I just can't take my mind off all that's happened."

"It was certainly a day full of surprise." Pyro said, sitting up. "Finding out Dusknoir was from the future, and everything."

Layne popped his neck, and sighed. "Yeah...the future."

"Don't tell me you're still being skeptical."

"It's not that at all actually." Layne said standing up and looking out the window. "I can believe his story I guess, but my mind's been bugging me all day."

"What do you mean?"

Layne simply looked at Pyro. "Everything today that was spoken, I feel like I should have known it for some reason."

Pyro smiled and said, "We can't all be as wise as Dusknoir, Layne."

"That's not what I mean at all. Things are triggering brain waves in my head, Pyro." Layne said. "Only...my memory won't start up again."

"You're dwelling on it too much, Layne. It won't help you."

Layne sighed. "Perhaps you're right. "Let him do what he came to do. Capture Grovyle, and take him back to the future."

"We simply have to trust him on this." Pyro said. "To be honest, I'd love to capture him ourselves, after what he's done, but, after our past confrontations, I know I'm just not ready yet."

Layne laughed. "You're actually improving on many things, faster than I anticipated you would when I first met you."

Pyro smiled, and said, "I hope Grovyle gets caught soon."

"I'm sure he will..." Layne said. "Look, I'm going to head to sleep shortly. Why don't you try to sleep as well. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Layne."

"Goodnight, partner."