Chapter Three: Keeping It In the Family

Talo Zeph was on patrol, searching through the streets for any Hybrid or Fusion Warrior activity. It was cold, despite the natural resistance granted him by Torkoal. The downfall of wearing a robe while in Fusion form, he supposed.

"Agent Zeph to base" he called, tapping a button on the earpiece he wore, which doubled as both a microphone and receiver. "I see no suspicious activity ongoing tonight. Looks like another boring one."

"Copy that, Agent Zeph" the voice of Rager came from the other end of the line. "If nothing else happens in twenty minutes, return to base and we'll call it a night."

"Roger. Agent Zeph out" Talo nodded. He landed on a flat-roofed building, allowing his sore wings to rest.

School is going to be awful tomorrow he thought. It was made worse by the fact that Coach Warzone was planning a mandatory 5K run the next day. Plus, he'd promised to take the day off to play video games with Ben, even if his whole life felt like a video game lately.

Then, of course, he'd have to deal with a double homework load, and still make time for tutoring Hazel. He found it ironic that the girl who'd tried to kill him a few weeks ago, along with her twin brother, Sam, was now one of his good friends. Ah well, living the first 15 years of one's life as a Pokemon Hybrid left little time for education.

He was just about to head back early, despite Rager's request, when he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. At first glance, it simply appeared to be a flickering light-perhaps a street lamp that needed a bulb changed-but his raptor vision told him it was not.

"Rager, I've got something here" he reported. "It might be nothing, but I'm checking it out."

"Roger. Keep me posted if things get out of hand" Rager responded.

Gliding on silent wings, Talo soared toward the pulsating object. Upon approach, it looked almost like a giant pothole, save for the shining energy emitting form it, and the fact that it seemed to be bottomless.

"Zeph, we just got a reading from your location" Rager called in. "Temporal energy levels are shifting, and they seem to be coming from near you."

"I can tell" Talo nodded, staring into the hole. "What is this thing?"

"As near as I can figure out? It's a hole in space and time" Rager replied. "I heard reports like that from Sinnoh a few years back. Apparently, random quantum anomalies started to appear when Dialga and Palkia were harnessed by Team Galactic."

"But those two Legendaries are based in Sinnoh" Talo remembered. "Why would a hole open here in Hoenn?"

Rager had no answer. "I'm sending a backup team. Don't do anything until they get there. There's a complete possibility that the rift will close before they get there." He stopped. "Talo, this is important: Do not approach the rift under any circumstances, do you understand?"

His only answer was a sharp yelp as a misplaced step sent Talo crashing down, straight into the void.

-X-

For a space-time rift, this was actually quite a pleasant experience, Talo decided as he plummeted through the tunnel. The walls pulsed with bluish light, streams of energy pulsing through them every few seconds. It was a kaleidoscope of blue light, very peaceful on Talo's mind. After what could have been seconds or hours, he defusioned automatically, not knowing why.

At about the same time, a light began to pulsate far below him-or was it above him? Direction had no meaning here. All he knew was that there was something brighter than the tunnel waiting for him. He braced himself for impact as he struck the light, passing through and into a place both familiar and foreign. Before he could process this thought, he landed on something soft with a jerk. A wave of exhaustion flowed over him. His eyes rolled back, and he passed out.

-X-

It was raining boys in Rustboro City. One boy, specifically, but this particular falling boy had landed on top of Jayden Zeph. Needless to say, Jayden was not happy about it.

He'd been all set to go out in search of AquaClaw or one of the other hybrids terrorizing the streets when a hole opened in the air directly above him, followed by a falling boy. The strange boy had crashed just so that the bulk of his body struck Jayden in the back.

"What in the name of Arceus are you doing?" Jayden growled. Noticing that the boy was unconscious, he pulled a water bottle from one of the many pockets of his black longcoat and splashed it on the boy's face. With a sputter, the boy shot bolt-upright.

"You're welcome" Jayden frowned. "So then, you gonna explain why you just fell out of the sky?"

Talo looked at him in confusion for a second, before the events of the last few minutes returned. "The temporal rift. Rager was warning me not to go near it, but I tripped somehow." The boy laughed. "Imagine that-me of all people tripping over my own two feet."

Jayden watched in confusion. Perhaps the boy was a little delusional after coming out of the "temporal rift" he was taking about. "Look, kid, if you need help, I'm happy to oblige. But I don't understand a word you're saying."

Talo nodded. "Where am I anyway? And who are you?"

Jayden nodded to himself. Finally, something he could answer. "You're in Rustboro City, a few minutes away from the High school."

Talo looked around. If this was his home, he'd never been to this section. The buildings were painted with silver chrome, likely to add water resistance. He recognized nothing.

"And as for my name, I'm Jayden Zeph" Jayden finished. This seemed to catch the stranger's attention, for he turned sharply to Jayden. "You're a Zeph?"

Jayden nodded with a grin. "Born and bred. I'm assuming you know one?"

Talo chuckled. "Know one? You might say that. Mostly because I

am one."

"Small world" Jayden grinned. "What are the odds that a member of my own family would just fall out of the sky? What's your name, anyway?"

"Talo" came the reply. "Talo Zeph."

Jayden was stopped cold. "Funny, I know a Talo Zeph, but he's much older than you. Who are your parents?"

Talo frowned sadly. "My parents are both gone. My mom died when I was just a baby, and my dad ran off after they found him swindling money."

Jayden nodded. This all sounded a bit too familiar. "Talo, what year is it?" The boy gave him an odd look, then gave him the date he remembered. It was almost 100 years out of date.

"So you're from the past then" Jayden decided. "You're Talo Zeph from 100 years ago."

Talo raised an eyebrow. "You know who I am then? Now?"

Jayden nodded again. "You're still alive, in this time, I mean. You're about 116 years old, though."

Talo snorted. "Nice to know I'm so long-lived. But a hundred years, you said? You'd be one of my grandkids, or maybe even great-grandkids."

"You're my grandfather" Jayden explained. "And a few months ago, you gave me these." He pulled out four pokeballs, and held up his arm, on which he carried the same "Poketch" that Talo was wearing. It did look quite a bit older, the shine dulled and hard to make out, but it was there.

"Three of the Pokemon came from Pokemon eggs that you gave me. The fourth one is-or I almost feel like I should say are-ones I've caught on my own."

"Are?" Talo asked. "There's only one pokeball."

"But not just one Pokemon. They work on a sort of hive mind, I guess. One mind, one pokeball." Jayden expounded. "I'll show you all of them." He threw the pokeballs in the air to release a Noctowl, a Torkoal, a Sceptile, and what appeared to be a large blue bell with gear faces attached to it. After a second, the four gears detached form the bell, and Talo could see that it was four Bronzor and a Bronzong.

"These little guys wont be separated, no matter what I do" Jayden explained. "They even share the same pokeball, so I just bring them along with me."

Talo looked them over for another minute before turning to Jayden. "I've just realized, your parents must have broken the tradition!"

"What tradition?" Jayden asked.

"The Zeph family tradition of giving our kids names that start with "T", of course." Talo expounded. "My parents did it, my grandparents did it, everyone has. So why not your parents?"

Jayden faltered, confused. "Umm, my dad was from another family, so he chose a different name, I guess."

"Your dad isn't one of my kids?" Talo asked, very aware of the strangeness of what he'd just said. "Then why do you still have my last name?"

Jayden was obviously very uncomfortable now. "Well, you see, my mom went back to using her maiden name after my dad-" he stopped, unable to continue.

Talo suddenly understood. "He died, didn't he?" This received a nod. "I'm so sorry. That was inconsiderate of me."

"But that aside" Jayden spoke up, obviously trying to change the subject, "How in the world did you get here? People from 100 years in the past don't just fall out of the sky." He frowned. "Well, come to think of it, that isn't completely true. But that's another story entirely."

Talo looked around. "So this is Rustboro City 100 years in the future? It looks a lot like LaRousse City to me, but without the moving sidewalks."

Jayden snorted. "Moving sidewalks? No city has used those in forever. In LaRousse, at least, they mostly use hoverboards."

"Knew that was gonna happen someday" Talo grinned. "I would love to see how everything has changed."

Jayden frowned. "It's probably not a good idea to know too much about the future, in case going back changes it." He looked over toward the park. "But I'm actually here for a reason. If you're willing to help me, I'd appreciate it."

"Sure" Talo nodded. "I may not be the friendliest guy in the world, but I'm a sucker for helping people." He started off behind Jayden. "So, what exactly am I helping you with?"

Jayden continued his fast pace, longcoat whipping in the light wind. "His name is AquaClaw, a Weavile-Buizel Duo-Hybrid. He's been terrorizing this area for a long time."

"Duo-Hybrid?" Talo asked. "I've never thought about that kind of possibility, but I guess it makes sense."

"You likely haven't ever seen one before. Duo-Hybrids were really rare until recently. In fact, I don't remember any stories about the original Fusion Warriors ever meeting a Duo-Hybrid." Jayden noted. "But that's beside the point. We're looking for AquaClaw, and my intel says that a chain of robberies occurred here recently. it could be a lead."

Talo nodded. "A stakeout then. We're going to see if he shows up again." He looked upward. "Why don't I get us an ariel view?"

"That would be perfect" Jayden nodded. "I'll stay at ground level and travel. If you fly up to have a look, we'll be able to cover twice as much ground."

Talo tapped the button of his silver Poketch, causing it to spiral into a silver gauntlet. With another tap, he became his fusion form, stretching his wings and soaring upward. Far above everything, he could just make out a shadowy figure moving among some buildings.

"Got something" he muttered to himself. "If that isn't a Weavile-Buizel hybrid, then I'm an Aipom's uncle." The creature in question resembled a Weavile with an orange fanlike crest and ears, and an orange flotation sac around its neck.

Talo signaled down to Jayden, who nodded in acknowledgement. They both moved toward their target as silently as possible. Talo began to spiral downward in preparation.

"I see you!" AquaClaw suddenly called. "Shadow Ball!" The projectile soared upward, nearly clipping Talo's wing.

"Bullet Seed!" he cried, pointing the small green cannon which he held. The front opened like a mouth, before launching a dozen bright yellow pellets at his foe. AquaClaw managed to dodge out of the way, but Talo continued to attack.

"You little brat! Ice Punch!" AquaClaw struck out with an icy fist, and Talo was forced to bring his shield up in defense. A thin layer of frost slid over the shield, but was quickly dispersed by a burst of heat from Torkoal's fiery heat.

Meanwhile, a figure wearing futuristic blue armor approached from behind. He lifted his hands as a large cannon shaped like a Bronzong released itself from his back and floated into his hands. "Flash Cannon!" he yelled, launching a powerful beam of light from the bell. The blast struck AquaClaw in the back, eliciting a hiss of pain from the Duo-Hybrid.

"The Midnight Angel's grandson" AquaClaw growled, looking back and forth between them. "Ever full of surprises, I see. It's as if you've managed to split yourself in two!"

"Close enough" Jayden grinned. "Extrasensory!" A sonic blast leaped out to strike the Hybrid from the four gears on his limbs. "Give up now, AquaClaw. You're outnumbered."

"But far from beaten" AquaClaw sneered. "Ice Tail Strike!" He prepared an Aqua Tail, but froze it with an Ice Punch. He swung forward with all his speed and force.

"Now, Talo! Stop him!" Jayden called. As one, they both raised their hands and cried "Confusion!" AquaClaw was outlined in blue light before freezing in place.

Talo grinned. "This is always my favorite part." With a nod from Jayden, he flexed his hands and sent AquaClaw flying away over the city.

"And don't come back!" Talo cheered, pumping his fist. He turned to Jayden as they both defusioned and extended his hand to shake. Jayden took it with a grin. "Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you."

"My pleasure" Talo nodded. "Now there's just the slight problem of how I'm going to get back to my own time. No offense or anything, but I don't think I should stay. You know, preserving the space-time continuum and all that."

Jayden nodded. "I know what you mean. Luckily for you, I think I know someone who can help us." He beckoned Talo down the street. "I think you'll enjoy meeting him." -X-

"I've waited a long time for this day" the old man grinned, looking up at Talo from his plush chair. "Talo Zeph, I suppose I ought to introduce myself: I am you."

Young Talo looked his older self over. for a 116 year-old man, he appeared to be in decently good shape. He still had all of his real teeth, and wrinkles of age were only barely showing on his face. He did walk with a cane, but it didn't seem to be so much an aid, more of a decoration. His silver hair was still spiked up in his favorite style, and his eyes burned with his lost youth. other than the hair, he didn't look too much different from Talo's own father. Then again, his father was serving a life sentence in prison, so he was hardly as well-groomed, if he was still alive by this point.

"I'm honored" the younger Talo bowed respectfully. His older self snorted. "I'm aware that meeting yourself isn't exactly an everyday occurrence, but there's hardly any need for formality, especially with me."

"Grandpa" Jayden spoke up. "Talo came here from the past, and he needs a way to get back to his own time." Older Talo nodded knowingly. "I'm aware of the situation. I've been through all of this before, you know."

"So you know what's going to happen next?" Talo affirmed doubtfully. "All of it?"

"For as long as you are here" Older Talo nodded, reaching behind him to catch a glass bird-shaped paperweight that had slipped off of a shelf. "Remember to catch that. It was given to me by my wife." He grinned. "But you wouldn't know about that, unless my careless grandson altered time and told you."

Talo shook his head. "I wouldn't let him. I prefer to make the future for myself."

Old Talo nodded. "Indeed you do. But to answer your questions, your Pokefuser absorbed a sample of the quantum energy. If you release it, you should snap right back to where and when you were."

Talo searched through the settings on the Pokefuser. "Quantum energy storage. I didn't even know that was possible."

Older Talo gestured to the Pokefuser Jayden was wearing. "There is much you have yet to learn about the Pokefusers. You know that they can repress Hybrid D.N.A. and that they allow you to fuse with your partners, but you can also create Fusion Fields to allow those around you to join with their Pokemon, as well as translate other languages, read a Pokemon's thoughts and emotions, and even use it as a weapon."

Talo was amazed. "And here I thought it was only for Pokemon Fusion. I guess I have a lot to learn still."

Older Him held up a hand. "But now your time runs short. You must return to your time." He gave him a thumbs-up. "Good luck, and remember, everyone has their faults; don't let that rule their lives, especially your sister's."

Talo looked up from typing in the settings on his Pokefuser. "Tara?" What do you mean?"

Older Talo simply grinned mysteriously. "Shhh. Spoilers." With that, he hit the last setting on the device, and Talo fell into darkness.

-X-

"-Talo, this is important: Do not approach the rift under any circumstances, do you understand?" A voice was saying over his transmitter. "Talo? Are you listening to me?"

Talo groaned a bit. "Loud and clear, Rager. The rift has just closed, so there's no risk of that." He sat up and brushed himself off just in time to see another version of himself falling into the rift before it vanished.

"Are you sure?" Rager asked. "Because these readings are still picking up... huh? They vanished. It's like the rift was never open at all..."

"That's what I'm trying to tell you" Talo sighed. "The portal's closed now, though, so it doesn't matter anymore. You can call off that team."

Rager wouldn't be silenced. "But where did it come from, and what caused it? I was hoping we could study it a bit..."

"Don't feel bad" Talo consoled him. "I'm sure we'll eventually figure it out. I'm coming back to base, though." He brought his hand to his Pokefuser and fusioned once more, returning to the air.

-X-

"Hey grandpa, did you ever figure out what caused you to travel through time?" Jayden asked, a few minutes after Talo vanished.

His grandfather shrugged. "Nope. I never did. But I'm inclined to believe that it was worth it." He sat back in his chair. "It was nice to see myself young once more." He grinned. "And I've still got it now, so much later. What say we have a little race, grandson?"

Jayden shook his head. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, gramps."

"Why not?" Talo demanded. "Because I'm old, slow, and senile?"

"Because I know there's no way I'll win" Jayden replied.

Talo laughed. "Now that's something we can agree on." With a final chuckle, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

AN: A chance encounter with the future leaves Talo with more questions than answers. This chapter is largely meant to tie in with ShadowPichu126's story, which is a continuation of Fusion Warriors and takes place 100 years later. Look it up if you've got a chance!

Even Fire and Ice have a Dark side...