The next few days were very slow for the Guild. No literally no word about the progress of Grovyle's capture came in, and Officer Magnezone had barred all access to Crystal Cave from all exploration teams. Life for Team Hydro Pyro right now was very slow. Layne and Pyro in these days healed, maybe did a couple jobs, and the rest of the time, nothing.

Layne healed over the next few days, and spent most of his time training with Marowak. Pyro got some time too, but Layne mostly, due to his defeat by Grovyle. Layne felt the urge to become a better fighter,and quickly learned. Marowak was very pleased at his progress and at the amount of interest his dojo was now receiving. One day he went so far as to throw a small party in the dojo to celebrate the dojo's rise once more.

That was life right then and there.

Layne sat with Pyro, Autumn, and Bidoof in Spinda's Café. He sipped his Wacan Tea, and listened.

"It's just been hard getting back to the way life should be at the guild." Bidoof said, adding on, his usual "Yup, yup!"

Layne nodded, and said, "At least you guys are off doing stuff."

"How's your arm, Layne?" Autumn asked.

Layne moved his right arm freely. "Like new." He said, with a small smile. "It's certainly been enough to train hard the past two days and perhaps give Grovyle a run for his money the next time we meet."

The table laughed at that. It felt good to hear laughter again.

Pyro asked, "Who has the next round?"

Layne stood and said, "I'll get it. You guys want the usual stuff?"

Everyone at the table nodded, and Layne went up to get the next round of drinks.

"Golly, I still find it hard to believe that Dusknoir and Grovyle came here from the future." Bidoof said. "It has since made me wonder what the future is like in the time they came from."

"I don't know," Autumn said, "But I've wondered that myself. If it's any different, or the same..."

Pyro said, "It must be different. With that Grovyle loose, I'd say it was worse."

"One pokémon shouldn't necessarily make a time period worse than another." Layne said bringing back drinks. "I may not know much about my past, but I have a feeling that where I came from, singular people did not make a time period any better or worse. People influenced it, sure, but...not to such extremes."

"Perhaps." Pyro said. "But Grovyle was certainly influenced enough as to come here to avoid capture in the future, and ensure no one would come after him again. Must mean something."

Layne offered no response to that.

Autumn changed the subject. "Wigglytuff seems back to his normal mood, wouldn't you say?"

Layne chuckled and sipped his tea. "I think that's a given. Anyone else notice him asleep this morning?"

"It's certainly been a while since he last fell asleep during the briefing." Bidoof said.

"Shows you how much he really cares for silly chants and usual announcements."

"Still not too fond with the morning cheer, Layne?" Autumn asked.

Layne shrugged. "Sometimes I'll join in, sometimes I won't. I still just don't see the point of it."

Bidoof said, "Golly, Layne I don't think there really is a point. It's just harmless fun to help us get motivated for the day."

Layne laughed and said, "Unless all motivation is killed by some BS reason, like Team Skull, signing on as partners of the Guild."

They all laughed as they remembered that day, and how Wigglytuff had reacted to the motivation killed guild members.

"Whatever became of them?"

Autumn asked.

"Golly, I haven't heard from them since-"

"We have." Layne said, finishing his tea,. "And I'm not proud to say it was a good hear from them, either."

"What happened?" Autumn asked.

Pyro answered that, "Well apparently, they were involved in playing a trick on two brothers, of Treasure Town, named Auzrill and Marill. They hid an item they had been looking for in the Amp Fields during a very aggressive part of the season there. We went to retrieve the item, only to find the whole thing was a set trap for us."

"A trap?" Autumn said, finishing her drink. "I knew there was something strange about them, but, dang. They went that far?"

"Yeah..." Layne said standing up and stretching.

"Thankfully, Dusknoir was around and helped us." Pyro said.

"Yeah..." Layne said. "Dusknoir."

It was then that the siren sounded at the guild again. Before any of them could ask what it was possibly about, a huge commotion started outside the café.

"Wonder what's going on." Layne said.

Autumn grabbed Sunflora who was rushing by. "Sunflora, what's going on?"

"Oh, guys!" Sunflora said, seeing everyone. "Oh my gosh! It's incredible! The news just came in! Grovyle's capture was a complete success!"

"Really?" Pyro asked, smiling.

"By gosh! Grovyle's been caught!" Bidoof said!

Layne simply shrugged and said, "Guess that's good news."

"How, though?" Autumn asked.

"Dusknoir caught him!" Sunflora said.

"Good on him!" Bidoof said. "So what's the rush?"

"Well..." Sunflora said. "We're all going to the Main Square. Dusknoir says he's going to return to the future with Grovyle..."

The four looked a bit shocked...well maybe except Layne. Layne still thought Dusknoir was a bit shady for him...but...he had managed to do a great thing for the land. Layne had to give him respect. Pyro didn't look happy. "He's going home?"

Sunflora said, "Come on! He wants to speak to us all at the Square!"

Layne sighed, and said, "Well, we better go see him off."

Pyro nodded, a bit while smiling small, though he looked a bit ready to shed a few tears. "Yeah...let's go..."

Upon reaching the Main Square, they saw Magnezone and local residents of the Town. The rest of the Guild also was present, including Wigglytuff and Chatot, were present. But that wasn't what everyone was thinking of. In the square, simply sitting there, was what looked like a portal. It was black, and looked very much like Dusknoir was telling the truth. Layne sighed. Skeptical approaches. Sometimes they paid off, sometimes not.

However, Dusknoir was no where to be found.

Corphish looked around, "Hey, hey! Where's Dusknoir?"

"Yeah, and what is THAT thing?" Loudred asked.

Magnezone was standing next to the portal and said, "Dusknoir opened this. It is a dimensional hole."

"A dimensional hole?" Sunflora asked.

"Yes." Magnezone said.

"You mean, stepping inside that..." Bidoof said, taking a few steps toward it, "Will take you to the future?"

Magnezone noticed him taking a few steps, and said, "Be careful! You must stay clear! One little touch of this portal, and you will be transported to the future!"

Bidoof breathed as his heart probably skipped a beat when Magnezone warned him of how serious the situation was.

It was then that Pyro saw that the lake guardians, Azelf, Uxie, and Mespirit were present, as well. "Hey! Azelf, Uxie and Mespirit!"

"Pyro!" Uxie said.

"You're all safe!" Pyro said, smiling. "I'm glad to see that."

Mespirit smiled, "Naturally!"

Layne came over, and said, "So I assume the plan was successful?"

"Azelf said, "Indeed. I must hand it to Dusknoir. The plan was flawless! We've captured Grovyle, and what's better, we reclaimed the four Time Gears he had previously stolen."

"Excellent!" Pyro said, in joy.

"Look! Here he comes!" One of the locals said.

Loudred then shouted, "Everyone! MAKE WAY!"

Everyone cleared a path. Coming down the path were two pokémon that Layne had not seen before, but they were clearly escorting Grovyle to the portal. Grovyle, was tied up tighter than a drum. His arms and hands were tied, and his mouth was also tied. Everyone began to murmur things as he walked by them.

"So that's Grovyle..."

"It's great they finally caught him..."

"He certainly looks like a bad pokémon..."

Layne could understand the ropes and all, but Dusknoir looked like he had really gone overboard with making sure Grovyle didn't escape...or say anything. Grovyle was trying to speak but the ropes were not making it any easy for him. Layne tried to listen, but could not understand a word he said. But as what Layne thought Grovyle would say, Grovyle didn't sound like he was threatening...in fact...he sounded urgent...or as if he were trying to warn them. Warn them of what?

Dusknoir called out, "Everyone. As you all see, today is a very good day. The excellent news has spread throughout the land. Grovyle has finally been captured."

A round of applause followed that statement. Layne could not find it in himself to applaud. Something seemed out of place...

"This was all made possible by your selfless support and cooperation. And for that, I cannot thank you enough."

This prompted another round of applause. Pyro looked at Layne, "Layne, what's wrong?"

Layne shook his head. "Nothing...I just feel...like something is-"

"As you can all see..." Dusknoir spoke up, "Grovyle was vicious and wicked in coming here, and trying to do what he did. But I assure you. His capture will result in a lasting peace to your world."

Grovyle once again tried to shout from his mouth bonds, but to no avail. One of the two pokémon beside him, which were purple creatures with gems as eyes, simply said, "Quiet you!"

Autumn spoke up, "Dusknoir, who are they?"

Dusknoir looked at his two pokémon assistants. Before he could say anything, four more came running. "These are my assistants I had brought from the future. They are Sabeleye. They helped me in every way thinkable. And today, I regret to inform you all...the time has come for us to return to the future. Everyone...I must now bid you all a farewell."

The crowd began to murmur, and some began to shed some tears.

Dusknoir looked to Azelf, Uxie, and Mespirit. "I entrust you with the rest. You know what to do."

Uxie nodded. "Yes, great Dusknoir. We have the Time Gears. We will ensure they are returned to their proper places."

Dusknoir nodded. "The task is yours."

Magnezone then hovered to Dusknoir and said, "Thank you for everything. You have saved us all."

"No." Dusknoir said. "You have been most kind and helpful, Magnezone. And I hope you all continue to work and preserve the peace of your world."

"You can depend on that." Magnezone said.

"Now..." Dusknoir said, "The time has come." He looked to his Sabeleye. "Take him back."

The Sabeleye chuckled and led Grovyle with some difficulty to the portal. "Come on, you!" one said. They then shoved him, and Grovyle disappeared through the portal with one last grunt through his mouth bonds. Then the six Sabeley followed him.

Dusknoir saw this and nodded. He then looked to the locals and guild members of Treasure Town. "Everyone. Though it pains me, now is the time to say goodbye to you all."

Sunflora fought back tears. "I hate sad goodbyes!"

Diglett simply said, "I...I hope we see you again!"

Chatot was balling like a baby. It didn't help Layne that he was standing right there beside him. Layne almost smacked him upside the head,but fought the nerve to do that.

Dusknoir nodded, and turned to enter the portal. This was it. Layne thought to himself. This pokémon had provided him with some clues as to who he was, and now, he'd never see him again. And he had not even muttered a thanks.

"Dusknoir..." Layne said. "...thanks for everything."

Dusknoir was surprised by the voice and stopped in his tracks. "Oh yes...I had nearly forgotten."

He turned back with his eye to Layne and Pyro. "Before I go, I must see two pokémon. Please step forward, Layne and Pyro."

Layne gave a look to Pyro, who was fighting back tears. Layne then looked back to Dusknoir and nodded to Pyro and they stepped to him.

"So this is really goodbye." Pyro said, showing tears, finally. "D-Dusknoir, sir. I cannot thank you enough for everything you've done."

"Well..." Dusknoir said, "This is...goodbye." He said this looking at Treasure Town, but then looked down at Layne and Pyro again. "Or is it?"

Layne looked up, "Uhh, what?"

Suddenly without warning, Dusknoir grabbed both Layne and Pyro "It's too soon for farewells." he said with a more sinister tone. Everyone in Treasure Town saw and heard this, and didn't know how to react one bit!

"Wah!" Pyro exclaimed.

"Dusknoir, what the hell are you doing?" Layne asked, a bit angry.

"My duty, Layne. My duty." Dusknoir said. "You're both coming with me, to the future."

Layne shouted as Dusknoir began to drag them to the portal, "Dammit, somebody do something!"

However, once Dusknoir's body touched the portal, he, Pyro and Layne all disappeared through he portal, and the portal vanished immediately. Layne knew nothing more...the world they were now in...was black...

Back in Treasure Town, everyone was looking at where the portal had once stood. "What...what just happened?" Loudred asked, a bit worried.

"They...they're gone!" Chimeco said. "Pyro and Layne!"

"Well what can we do?" Sunflora asked.

Chatot was confused. "Those two were clumsy! Why would they get so close to the portal?"

"Shut up, Chatot!" Autumn said. "What are we going to do? Two of our fellow apprentices were just taken to the future! Two apprentices, that happen to be very good friends to us all! I ask again what are we going to do?" she asked with some tears starting to form.

Bidoof was a bit down himself. "Golly...I...I just don't understand..."

Marill and Azurill were present as well. "They had done so much for us..." Marill said. "We cannot do nothing!"

Autumn ran to where the portal had been just minutes ago. "We've got to find out a way! Guildmaster! Do you know what to do?"

Wigglytuff had not seen this and taken it lightly. The serious mood quickly returned, ad he put a hand on Autumn's shoulder. "Right now...we can do nothing. I don not know why Dusknoir pulled them into the portal, but all we can do...is pray. Pray that by some miracle, Layne and Pyro are okay."

Autumn let a few tears down. "They're...they're my friends..."

"And mine too, Autumn." Wigglytuff said, sharing her grief. "And we will think of something. But right now...we've all had a long day. Chatot!"

Chatot flapped his wings once. "Guildmaster!"

Wigglytuff then said, "Let's return home. I have a lot to think about."

"Yes Guildmaster." Chatot replied. "Guild members! To the guild!"

Autumn and Bidoof simply stayed behind for a few seconds looking at the place where the portal had, just moments ago stood. Autumn looked at Bidoof, and said, "I hope they're okay..."

Bidoof, nodded, and said, "I-I hope so too...yup, yup..."

END PART III