Mana throws another sleep seed and again, it takes a while for the giant pokemon to fall asleep. She hits him with a smokescreen, one attack after the other, but she soon grows exhausted. How long until she has to keep this up? If only he were here-
"No, Riolu made his decision!" Mana rummages through the pack, looking for something, anything that could somehow end this battle. She grabs a blast seed, but if she uses it now, Groudon might wake up and she has no more sleep seeds. Orbs don't seem to work in this area, so her slumber orb is out of the question.
Then I'll just have to attack as much as I can, scraping away his energy. Mana powers up, the flames on her back increasing in height and heat. She uses flame wheel, making sure not to take any breaks. The pokemon just sleeps there as she fires away at him, as if he cannot feel anything. If she was stronger, than maybe it wouldn't last this long.
"Your weakness becomes your strength…"
"RIOLU! I'M SORRY FOR WHAT I SAID!" Mana screams. Her words fly into the air and at that moment, Groudon's eyes pop open and he growls down at the cyndaquil. She looks up at him, her eyes and mouth wide open. After all the attacks and effort she's put into, still she could not do anything. Was Groudon really this strong? Is this the difference between her and Groudon's power?
"Ri-Riolu… I'm sorry I said those things. I didn't mean them, I was mad because we promised to help each other and then you broke it so easily. I thought…I thought that's all our friendship meant to you," Mana trembles, both her body and her words. After all they've been through together; months spent on missions and training, meeting new pokemon, traveling to different areas. They promised they'd help each other-
"YOU PROMISED YOU'D HELP ME!" Anger, betrayal, hurt, sadness, confusion… They all flow into her, power her up as she unleashes ember. Only, it was not the same ember; it was more powerful and carried more range than the original move. It held all of Mana's stored feelings and was aimed straight at Groudon. The heat sizzled the giant pokemon and he howls into the sky, flames licking him, stilling his movements. It leaves a nasty after effect, the exhaustion growing stronger while his energy becoming weaker.
Groudon stumbles back, his body burning. He tries to move, tries to attack, but these flames aren't letting up. A small pokemon edges closer, but he cannot see who it is. Is it the cyndaquil? She was shouting something before and was suddenly stronger afterwards. And what happened to her partner? Groudon was created because there were two enemies, not one. Is the other one hiding?
Mana throws her blast seeds at the groudon, the seeds exploding around the pokemon's stomach. He howls even louder, attempting to move away, but Mana uses the explosions as a distraction so she could tackle him. Again, this tackle was different from the original move. More power, more force as she hit the groudon. The pokemon falls to the ground and twitches. Dust particles rise up from the sudden impact, covering Groudon's massive body. Mana walks through the dust cloud, walks past the unconscious body of Groudon, and heads towards the path the groudon was protecting.
I trusted…you.
Riolu catches his breath, trying to listen. There are no sounds or voices, nothing that would indicate whether a battle is currently taking place or not. Without waiting, Riolu runs straight ahead and stops a few feet away. The dust begins to settle back into the ground, exposing an unconscious Groudon and both Mana and Riolu's pack. His feet take him to the opened pack and he kneels down.
"W-what just…" Riolu turns towards the fallen pokemon. He closes his eyes and the auras of Riolu and a fading brownish aura that seems to be coming from Groudon is here, but a dull red lingers around the giant pokemon.
"Mana! No way, she defeated…" Riolu gulps, still watching the groudon, who know seems to be glowing. What is going on? Where is Mana?! Riolu covers his eyes, the light blinding the whole area. The groudon who was lying there begins to vanish, revealing a small path as well as remnants of Mana's aura, where she had walked.
Riolu opens his eyes to find the giant pokemon gone and a path ahead of him. He knows that Mana has be there because where else would she be? She couldn't have ran away or else Riolu would have caught up with her, so the only logical choice would be straight ahead. Riolu sighs, closing their pack. He slings it around his shoulders and looks behind the path, still recognizing Mana's dull red aura.
"She really is determined." Riolu begins walking, his own determination leading him to Mana.
"I see you have defeated Groudon," A voice speaks from the shadows. Mana looks around, trying to figure out the exact location. She doesn't need to as a pokemon reveals themselves to her. He hovers, a few inches above the end of land and the beginning of water. Mana watches this pokemon, something striking her as familiar. Why? Why does she feel like she knows him? So I have been here before…
"Strange, I thought there were two of you-"
"Groudon works for you? Then he's a guardian, which means that you are…" Mana stops as the pokemon moves closer to her. He smiles, but it is hollow.
"Groudon was an illusion I created. He was to make sure no one would make it as far as you have, young one. But no, he is not a guardian. I am and unfortunately, you cannot be here." The pokemon begins to glow and a cold feeling washes over Mana. She panics.
"N-No wait! I didn't come here for you or anything bad! I just wanted some information, that's all. I promise, so please don't erase my memories!" Mana closes her eyes, her legs trembling. The pokemon looks down at the young cyndaquil. He should erase her memories without hearing her out, but something about her makes him curious.
"Information, you say? Then why are there explorations here in my home? I see some pokemon making their way out of the cave and I see…" The pokemon stops. The same pokemon that was with this cyndaquil… Why have they been separated? No, it doesn't matter, what matters is the pokemon here in front of him.
"W-well, we are an exploration team and my guild did speak of this place… And we did think there would be treasure... But I didn't care about that! I heard that you can erase a pokemon's memory and I wanted to see if the rumors were true. Please, I-"
"Don't trouble yourself, young one. Open your eyes and take a look," The pokemon says, turning around. He is met with a gasp and he knows that the cyndaquil is seeing what he is now seeing.
Mana watches the light glowing, dancing Illumise and Volbeat lighting up the water and the sky above them. The cave is small, but expands as the lake in front begins to widen. It creates this opening from the sides and the ceiling, allowing the water to glow and reflect the moon's beauty. Mana watches and observes this rare sight, her feelings about Riolu shifting. If he was here, he would be wide-eyed and smiling like an idiot. He would be telling Mana what they are seeing and would practically be begging Uxie not to erase his memory. Mana smiles, thinking about her conjured up Riolu's reaction. That would definitely be him.
In the middle of the lake is a bluish green glow, acting as a barrier or a shield of sorts. Mana's eyes do not miss it, as she squints to see behind the bluish green glow.
"Yes, you see it as well. I, Uxie, am the guardian of a time gear. That light you see in the middle of the lake holds the presence of a time gear. It has the ability to stop time, but combined with the other gears and used differently, stopping time is only child's play. I'm sure you and your fellow teammates are looking for this kind of treasure?" Uxie does not turn around, knowing that what he is stating is true. While all explorers come here for treasure, very few of them realize that the time gear is the treasure they are searching for.
"That's…a time gear?" Why doesn't this surprise me? It's like I knew it was here, and yet this is my first time seeing this place or a time gear! Mana takes a step forward, getting a better look at the radiating water the time gear is creating. It lights up the waters, magnifying the beauty of the lake and Mana is here to see it all. Uxie glances next to him, mistaking Mana's expression.
"Yes, this is a time gear and it is what I must protect from anyone, friend or foe. My reason for being here is solely to protect the time gear, which is the job I was given and one I intend on completing."
"You were given?"
"Yes, given. Before the time gear was stolen, my brothers and I were tasked in protecting them. Many have stumbled across this very place and I have sent them away, erasing their memories of the time gear and all of Fogbound Lake. Most of them haven't reached this place because of the Groudon illusion I conjure up and the rest are terrified of the spreading rumors about the fog and the legendary pokemon. I have made sure no one enters, thinking that those who do not want their memories taken would stay away. However, you and your fellow guild members are one of the few who have made it here this far. I should congratulate you-"
"W-wait a minute, your brothers? Does that mean you are one of the psychic trio… The-then that means, your brothers are-"
Uxie chuckles, watching this young cyndaquil stumble over her words. It has been some time since he had seen this type of reaction and those reactions have always been quite amusing.
"Yes, my brothers are Mesprit and Azelf. We are the 'Lake Guardians' as you explorers call us," Uxie turns away from the scenery, his face darkening. He notices something move in the shadows of the cave and his yes hone in on the movement. The pokemon that was partnered with the cyndaquil shrinks back, as if frightened.
"It seems you had mentioned something about needing some information? What is it you wish to know?" Uxie asks, still staring at the frightened pokemon.
Startled from the change of topic, Mana looks over her shoulder at the pokemon. His back is facing her, but when he turns, his expression is cold, almost scary. The information she had just learned from him is still in front of her, so she tries to sort them out. If Riolu were here, he would've already jumped right in and asked, but since he's not, Mana has to deal with this on her own. I should've just kept my mouth shut or at least talked him into coming… No, it wouldn't matter what she did at that time. Riolu was quick to run whether or not she said anything and she only made it easier to decide what her friend wanted to do. Mana shakes her head and turns to meet Uxies cold eyes.
Riolu huddles in the shadows, his breath slow and quiet. He had been holding it when he saw the pokemon, Uxie, meet his eyes. He knew his cover was blown, so why did Uxie not call him out? He had caught up to Mana and was glad that her back was facing him, but Uxie had immediately saw him.
Now he sits still, his limbs beginning to cramp up from not moving. He watches as Mana turns from the lake and he shrinks even further, his back hitting the rough edges of the wall. Even if he wanted to, Riolu was afraid to show himself to Mana, for fear of what she will say. I'll wait until we get home to-
"About five months ago, I woke up on a beach with no memory of who I was or how I ended up at the beach. I was in this form, but I know that I was originally human. I met Riolu, thinking I could somehow find out what happened to me and…" Mana stops and Riolu holds himself back. She looked like she was struggling through something and was trying to fight it, but Riolu had an idea that it was about him. His guilt swells up inside, ready to drown him.
"Anyway, when our guildmaster heard rumors of a legendary pokemon wiping memories, he thought we should all explore this. Please Uxie! I don't have any memories from when I was human, but I have these…feelings. I came here and I feel like I've been here before, like déjà vu and that time gear seems somewhat familiar but this is the first time I've ever seen it. I don't care about the treasure or anything, I just want to know if you were the one who erased my memories and if you could bring them back for me," Mana says, her eyes pleading at the psychic pokemon. Riolu does nothing except watch, even if it is hurting him to see his friend like that.
"I understand your dilemma-?"
"Mana."
"Ah, Mana. I understand how helpless you must be feeling. Sadly, however, no human as ever come to Fogbound Lake. I am sorry, but this is the first I am meeting you and I do not erase all memories, only those who have come to this Lake as I have mentioned earlier. I only erase the memories of Fogbound Lake, nothing else. I'm sorry Mana, but there is nothing I can do about your situation," Uxie says, facing away from the saddened cyndaquil.
"Then, do you know anything about why I was turned into a pokemon? Or who else that could erase memories?"
"I am sorry, but I can't answer those questions. It is strange that a human would be turned into a pokemon and this is something I've never heard of. As far as I know, I am the only one who can erase memories. The world is vast, so you may come across someone who has the answers-"
A loud squeal makes Mana and Riolu jump. Uxie turns just in time to see a group of pokemon enter the cave. Riolu and Mana gape at their fellow guild members and no one seems to notice that Riolu is hiding out in the shadows.
"No way, it really is a Time Gear?"
"Wow, never seen one of them before-"
"OI, this IS NO time to be dawdling… OW!" Loudred falls to the ground as Corphish snaps his claw shut. He glares at his guild members, eyes narrowing into tiny slits.
"Where… Oomph!" Corphish is knocked out cold as Wigglytuff enters through the entrance. Everyone who had been inside before is pushed backwards while both Corphish and Loudred are out cold. The pink pokemon smiles devilishly at his guild and they all scatter away from the cave entrance. Uxie waits as Wigglytuff walks towards the lake.
"Ah, so there really is no treasure… No fun, no fun at all," Wigglytuff says shaking his head slowly. He sighs, but his smile is still plastered as he stands in front of Uxie.
"It seems we cannot take this Time Gear-"
"W-Wigglytuff? How did… How did you-?" Mana stares open mouthed at her guildmaster. Riolu also stares at him too and he swallows. He looks back where the cave's entrance is, but no one seems to be coming in.
"Oohh~ this beautiful, so very beautiful place. This seems like a beautiful treasure instead of that gear," Wigglytuff says, looking at the volbeat and illumise dancing around. He observes the greenish blue light coming from the lake, but his expression shows no hint of change. From what he can tell, nothing bad has happened.
"Hmm… Wigglytuff, as you say?" Uxie glances over at Mana, who nods, still in shock. He then looks back at the pokemon still in the darkened corner of the cave. He, too, also seems to have the same reaction as the cyndaquil.
"I'm Wigglytuff, Mana and Riolu's guildmaster~ I am so very happy I came here, I can see such a wonderfully beautiful view! Oh, oh! There is water spouting out-"
"Yes, the lake geyser erupts every now and then. It is sometimes called 'The Fountain of the Lake' to those who are fortunate enough to keep their memories. However, now that you have witnessed such a view from the lake, I'm afraid I cannot allow you to go home with those memories-"
"Heehh~ then the lake itself is the treasure," Wigglytuff says and he faces Uxie, who is surprised to see something in Wigglytuff. Somehow he feels…assured?
"I got to see such a wonderful place~ it seems that rumors of a treasure was just the view and wow, was it a wonderful treasure indeed!" Wigglytuff smiles widely and Uxie allows himself to smile. Yes… That's what this feeling meant.
"I will let you keep your memories of this place, but you must promise to keep everything you saw a secret. There are those, unlike you, who wish to take advantage of the so called treasure and use it in unimaginable ways."
"Indeed, we would not like a repeat of the other Time Gear being stolen, definitely not-"
"You can trust us, Uxie! We'll guard this secret with our life," Riolu says, stepping out of the shadows. His legs and his neck had grown stiff while he was hunched in the back, but as he steps out, his body begins to stretch itself. He notices Mana's expression change from surprise, to confusion, then to anger, and then it shifts into regret, before deciding to switch to anger. Wigglytuff and Uxie, however, are both looking at Riolu with kind smiles.
"As Riolu had said, there won't be anyone who will be spilling any secrets. You have the word of the Guild and the Guildmaster's word, my friend. Now then, let's be off to tell everyone the good news!" Wigglytuff walks away, still smiling. He grabs one of Corphish's claws and one of Loudred's legs and begins dragging them out of the cave. He hums to himself, leaving Riolu, Mana, and Uxie alone.
"Mana, I-" Riolu stops as Mana walks away from him. His heart clenches tightly, the guilt beginning to take form in him. Of course she wouldn't have anything to do with him, of course Mana wouldn't want to have Riolu-
"Give it some time, young one." Riolu looks up, his eyes glistening with tears. Uxie looks down at him, smiling warmly.
"Don't worry, just give her some time to heal. Friendship never ends so easily, but wait too long and she will be lost to you," Uxie says.
"But Mana... I ran away when she needed me most. I don't think she will ever forget that…"
"She may not forget that, but you can't expect everything to work out cleanly. It takes a lot of work, disagreements, and forgiveness. Your friend may not forget, but she'll remember when you decided to give up on her. Which do you think is more important: you or your argument?"
Riolu sniffles, looking back down at the ground. To be honest, he doesn't really know. It wasn't just some 'argument' they had, it was like he said "that promise we made at the beach meant nothing to me" and then ran away. She even told him that she was better off without Riolu, so how does he attempt to mend it?
"I don't think this can be fixed, Uxie. I broke the promise we made to each other and left her by herself. That promise made us friends and brought us into joining Wigglytuff's guild and traveling together, so I broke it and then the dreams we made together mean nothing and our friendship-"
"True, that promise brought you two together, but is a friendship really as fragile as that broken promise? I cannot tell you what you should and shouldn't do, rather, that is your decision. If you truly believe that that is what your friendship means, then it is your decision. There are many things to run away from; a battle, your future, or even just a simple friend. As there are many forms of bravery…" Uxie trails off, noticing a change in the young riolu. He watches as the pokemon runs off and chuckles softly, turning to watch his beautiful treasure.
"There will be many treasures like this view, but the greatest of all treasures is to share it with a dear friend. You will soon see, young one, that the value of your friendship will strengthen you. Be careful not to lose her."