ARC TWO BEGINS! And as promised, just below is the blurb for this arc!
"He remembered playing a game, but he was the one being played. Watching the characters behind a screen, but unable to truly interact with them. The irony is not lost on him now.
Less than a spirit, barely a memory, only able to watch his friends as they live their lives without him, but unable to move on. Is this a dream? Or is this a nightmare? He doesn't know. It doesn't matter, it's not like he has a choice. At least, that's what he thinks.
Now stuck as an observer, Scout can only watch as his companions vow to move to the ends of the earth to restore him. While foes old and new make themselves known; as the world is not saved yet..."
I am incredibly excited for the stuff I've got planned here. Hold onto your hats, everyone!
"Is that you, Bidoof?" Diglett called.
"Yup," Bidoof replied. "Ah've got Team Ion. Plus…" he glanced behind him, not even sure how to begin explaining things. Bidoof eyed Guardian nervously and swallowed. "Company. Grovyle and Riolu and… well, we've got an emergency, could you let Chimecho know?"
There was silence for a moment before the gate rose rapidly and an echo of. "WHAT?" Could be heard. That was more than just Loudred yelling.
Bidoof stepped out of the way to let Striker carry Sean into the guild and joined Rai and Mane, stepping into the guild.
"I'm not sure about this," Guardian said quietly, but Saniya pushed him along.
"Come on; you got to show me around. Striker's too distracted to." She was positively glowing with eagerness.
The bottom floor was in a panic as Striker came running down with an unconscious riolu in his arms. "We'll explain later," he said as Chimecho psychically forced several pokémon out of her way. "He's in a bad state."
"Come," Chimecho ordered, jerking her head towards the medical wing. Striker and Sean disappeared into the sterile room as Bidoof came down with Rai and Mane.
"H-Hey," Rai said, glancing back worriedly as Saniya zipped down in manic excitement.
"OhmygoshIcan'tbelieveIgettofinallyseeyouallIcan'twaittobethebestoffriendsandtelleachothereverythingandsharegossipandlaughandcryandlaughsomemore!"
While she spoke at speeds only Sunflora could possibly understand, she zipped around the room, giving everyone a hug each before bouncing out an open window and then back in and hugging everyone again.
Her antics provided a nice distraction for Guardian to slink into the room and float uncomfortably by the incline, waiting for someone to notice him.
It was Armaldo, someone Guardian noted was new, who spotted him first. "Okay," the old explorer said, catching Saniya with a sudden swipe in the air. She blinked in surprise, not being prepared for the sudden stop. "Hold her," he said, pushing her into Wigglytuff's arms, who eagerly hugged her.
Saniya hugged back.
Armaldo's eyes met Guardian's, and the powerful pokémon began walking forward, the apprentices stepping out of the way and looking along curiously. Guardian was noticed by everyone else, and gasps ran through the guild.
"Normally the sentries keep an eye on who comes in," Armaldo said, stepping up to Guardian. "But in all the excitement, it seems something slipped through. Normally we'd ask questions, but with everything else going on, I think it's clear who you are."
Guardian raised his hands placatingly. "I am not here to cause-"
Far quicker than his bulky frame would suggest, Armaldo grabbed one of Guardian's hands, tugged him forward, twisted it around, and grabbed the other arm, slamming Guardian into the wall with both arms behind him back.
A seed Armaldo had been concealing melted into Guardian's ghostly body, and its effects immediately overcame him, freezing up his limbs in his pinned state.
"Wait-wait-wait!" Saniya yelled and tried to break free of Wigglytuff's hug. The Fairy-type was not letting go, however.
"Dusknoir," Armaldo said as the guild looked on in stunned silence. "You are under arrest."
"STRIKER!" Saniya yelled, and the grovyle in question came barrelling out in a confused panic.
Striker was young, but he wasn't stupid, and he quickly took in the scope of what was going on.
Armaldo, however, was just as sharp. "Dusknoir may be of a time that may not exist anymore, but his crimes in the past are still punishable. He manipulated the guild, Treasure Town, and harmed pokémon in order to concoct his plot. I don't care what you have to say; it doesn't matter if you believe he has changed."
He pulled Guardian up. "It doesn't matter IF he has indeed made a turn for the better, as implied by him entering with you. What matters is that he has committed multiple crimes, and he will be brought to Officer Magnezone for punishment."
Still struggling in Wigglytuff's hold, Saniya managed to free herself. She didn't zoom for Armaldo, but for Striker.
"What are we going to do?" she hissed. "I told him things would be fine, and I can't tell a lie."
"I-I don't," Striker replied, caught flat-footed. Armaldo didn't seem the kind of waiting for witty retorts and appeals to mercy to be made, and he was already dragging Guardian away.
Pushed to action, Striker settled on yelling out while running forward. "Hey!"
Armaldo ignored him.
"HEY!"
"If it would prevent a scene, you may join me as I go to Team Magnezone," Armaldo said, glancing back to Wigglytuff. The Guildmaster got whatever message Armaldo was trying to put across and jogged up.
"Right, we can all go!" he said, smiling kindly.
"Everyone?" Saniya said, glancing back at the guild.
"The three of us can join Armaldo and Dusknoir, yes."
"You just want backup," Striker muttered under his breath.
Armaldo was unphased. "I don't intend on catching any irrational or emotional outbursts. If you try to intervene, I will arrest you as well."
Saniya crossed her arms and glared at Armaldo. He stared back, meeting her eyes.
Striker glanced between the two, and Wigglytuff took a step in closer, ready to pull Striker back in case something explosive happened.
Saniya looked away. "Fine. But Guardian already made up for what he did, Magnezone, or whatever will see it that way."
"I am not doing this to be your enemy," Armaldo replied, lugging Guardian along again. "This is simply justice."
"It'll be okay," Wigglytuff insisted, before looking back to the amassed, and very confused, guild. "Um… Croagunk, you're in charge until we get back."
"Meh-heh-heh, sure."
A few pokémon eased away from the Poison-type.
With that, the five of them left. Three guests, and Armaldo with Guardian.
Saniya was very quiet as they walked, choosing not to talk to Wigglytuff of Armaldo. Striker found himself with nothing to say. He did understand where Armaldo was coming from, and he whispered a few placating things to Saniya.
He did know the punishments in this time were not as severe as the time that never was. He hoped hearing that helped her; she grew calmer as they went and found some energy returning, looking around excitedly at new places.
Wigglytuff found himself relieved as well. He couldn't be sure if Grovyle, or Celebi, would try anything drastic, but Armaldo had clearly thought it a worry. He wondered why they would be so defensive of him, considering his actions, but the thought that Dusknoir had turned over a new leaf-filled him with joy.
The fact that they were still around, as well as the sudden emergence of Riolu, was causing exciting thoughts to roll around in his head. But the current situation was serious, so he held his tongue.
He was eager to talk to Celebi, though. Assuming she wasn't too upset after all this was sorted out.
The Team Magnezone base came into view, and Saniya burst into giggles upon spotting it. She calmed herself quickly, by Striker's standards at least, but the sight of the magnezone-shaped building lightened her mood.
Surely someone with as silly a home as that couldn't be too mean.
Although Wigglytuff had restrained her, she knew that's what he had done, and he lived in a silly place. He was supposed to be nice. However, she had to think about things. She didn't like to overthink.
The light was going, and the place was technically closed, but Armaldo hammered on the door, having Wigglytuff hold Dusknoir until someone answered.
"BZZT! What is it? BZZT!" a magnezone said in an approximation of annoyance for their kind. It blinked upon seeing the five, in which everyone besides Dusknoir began talking at once.
"I have an outlaw to-"
"He has arrested my-"
"This meanie pants wants to-"
"Pokémon from the future have returned including-"
"BZZZZZZT! One at a time, please. BZZT!"
"I have an outlaw you need to contain," Armaldo said. "Dusknoir the Betrayer."
Throwing a dirty look at Armaldo, Striker said his part. "He has arrested my friend. I am aware of what Dusknoir has done, but he changed and helped stop Primal Dialga from destroying time. Surely Shinx mentioned the event of Primal Dialga coming to fight when Team Ion were saving time? Dusknoir saved his life and was instrumental in stopping the mad creature."
Striker crossed his arms and stared the magnemite down. It turned to Saniya before he could really begin to glare, taking the wind out of his sails.
"This meanie pants wants to arrest him!" Saniya said, pointing the finger at Armaldo. "Arrest HIM!"
"Very persuasive," Striker sighed.
Wigglytuff stepped forward and did his best to explain everything to the stunned magnemite, as well as the crowd of magne-pokémon that were building on the other side of the door. "Tonight has been quite a night!" he said to start things off.
Officer Magnezone themself floated through, the magne-pokémon parting for their leader. "BZZT! Explain, Guildmaster Wigglytuff. Explain why we have been intruded upon after hours, with what appears to be Grovyle the Thief, Dusknoir the Betrayer, yourself, former outlaw Armaldo and… this pink pokémon."
"It's Celebi," she snapped. "Or Saniya. Except you don't call me that. Unless you let Guardian go! That'd be nice!"
"Call him, and everyone else, by their species," Striker muttered, hating he needed to remind Saniya already. "Please."
"Oh, right. I forgot. I'm Celebi. He's NOT Guardian. The green and gorgeous one is Grovyle, not Striker. Okay?"
Striker slowly covered his face.
Magnezone had no words, so they faced Wigglytuff instead.
"It appears that pokémon from the erased future have returned," Wigglytuff explained. "Bidoof and Team Ion found them on the… beach?" He received a pair of nods. "The beach and brought them to the guild. One of their number, Riolu, appears severely injured."
"He only JUST returned," Saniya piped up. "Like… less than an hour ago. We've been back for months. Hee-hee-hee, I get to say things relating to TIME again. I never really got to do that with any amount of sense before!"
"Just returned. Is… uh… Meowth back?" Wigglytuff asked, turning back to them. Saniya's cheer seemed to dry up like a pancake left in an oven.
Striker shook his head. "Not that we have seen."
"These four, then. Armaldo, after seeing Dusknoir, took reasonable action. He's been dosed with a Stun Seed with his arms around his back, as you can see, and I joined them here as times were a little tense."
"Yeah. Because Dusky is not a bad guy anymore!" Saniya snapped, anger replacing the sadness. She zoomed up and stared Magnezone in their big red circle.
"Their eyes are to the side," Armaldo said, tiredly.
"Shut up. I knew that!" Saniya said, backpedalling to star back and forth between two very flat eyes.
"BZZT! Dusknoir, while never officially given a branding as an outlaw due to not being in our timeline, is guilty of using an official explorers guild to increase his control and perpetrate crimes against the entire world. He has used, lied, manipulated, and extorted pokémon while portraying himself as a grand saviour while vilifying the pokémon set to save the world and manipulating us all to his advantage. BZZT!"
"Yeah, but…"
"BZZT! Furthermore, he is guilty of kidnapping as well as inciting great violence in Treasure Town to the level of causing extensive property damage, leading to the serious injury of three pokémon, minor injury of thirty-seven, and general unrest. BZZT!"
"Stop BZZZTing at me!"
Magnezone turned to a trio of Magneton, who zoomed in to surround Guardian. Their electricity chains lit up, and they picked him up as it snapped him out of his stunned state.
"Finally," Guardian managed. He coughed once or twice before shaking his head and glaring at Saniya and Striker. "I know those looks, let. This. Go. I deserve this."
"No," Saniya protested, beginning to grow petulant. "You changed. You changed."
"Not soon enough," Guardian pointed out. The magne-pokémon was kind enough to let them have this exchange. "Look, don't hold this against Armaldo or the guild. I knew this was going to happen, this is what should happen, this is a peaceful time, and I interfered with this. If I had have won, this time would be over. I deserve punishment."
"BZZT! So you will comply? BZZT!"
"Yes," Guardian answered. "I will."
"No!" Saniya snapped, trying to but in. "He will NOT!" Striker caught her.
"Calm down," he said, having to hold her tight. She began beating her wings, blowing air into his face. "Stop!"
Saniya stopped. "He is one half, well third now, I guess, of all the people I have in the world. You cannot just take him away."
Striker cast a look to Wigglytuff, the Fairy-type holding a contemplative look, and then back to Armaldo, who did not appear moved.
"Saniya," Guardian sighed. She'd already said her name earlier; he felt he needed some extra gravity to this. "It's not like you'll never see me again. I'm sure you can visit."
"It won't be the same. We were going to go on missions and see the world and help all the pokémon we could!"
That caught Wigglytuff's ear.
"You were going to become an exploration team?" he asked. Saniya nodded rapidly.
"Yes! We were going to find out how to do that, and then do it."
"I know this is out of order," Striker said, nodding to Saniya. "But isn't there some sort of… rehabilitation that is done for arrested pokémon?"
"BZZT! Yes. We give them menial tasks in produce and item gathering to start with. BZZT!"
"If we agree to any regulations you want, would you be able to release him into our custody?"
"BZZT! Unheard of. BZZT!"
"You said you wanted to start a team?" Wigglytuff asked, he received a pair of yes's. He looked to Guardian. "You as well?"
Guardian gave a stiff nod. "Yes, it seemed the most reasonable choice of action."
Wigglytuff beamed. "You can join the guild then!"
Silence overtook the clearing. The clicks and whirs of the magne-pokémon seemed to pause, as everyone blinked at Wigglytuff.
Armaldo recovered first. "Wigglytuff," he muttered, shaking his head. "If what I've heard is even remotely true, these three are far more capable than mere apprentices. They'd graduate in a day, and Dusknoir could get off scot-free."
Wigglytuff waved him off. "Not as apprentices, Armaldo. More like… uh… what's the word?" he hummed to himself for a few moments, trying to pluck the elusive word from the depths of his brain.
"Contractors?" Armaldo said, unable to wait around for Wigglytuff.
"Yes! They can work for the guild, like an already-graduated team! I know from experience that Grovyle is super strong, and Celebi is a legendary pokémon! I know they can hold Dusknoir in check if they need to. Plus, they can report to us every day after doing stuff for and around town. Obviously, we can't just let them leave on missions right away, but there is always work that needs to be done in town that the townsfolk don't ask the guild about!"
Saniya nodded rapidly. "Yes. YES! That's perfect. Absolutely perfect. We'll stay in Treasure Town, and we'll go with whatever you want us to do until you think Dusknoir is as good as WE know he is. Wouldn't it be better for everyone involved that way?"
Magnezone hesitated, glancing between Guardian and Wigglytuff. Striker cleared his throat. "Plus. This wouldn't be the first time someone was arrested and punished for reasons out of their control." He rubbed a scar on his head, and Magnezone's eyes flickered red in annoyance, or perhaps embarrassment, for a moment.
"Oh, snap!" Saniya said, snapping her fingers in the process and thoroughly ruining the moment.
"BZZT! You do not need to be so underhanded. We pokémon of this time owe you a great debt for what you did. BZZT!" Magnezone swivelled back to the Magneton, and they released Guardian.
Guardian, who was not expecting that, hit the ground before he remembered he could float. He raised himself up, glancing between everyone in stunned silence.
"BZZT! Grovyle and Celebi. You WILL not be allowed to let Dusknoir out of your sight. At least one of you must always be with him, if in town the two of you must be. Pokémon will be nervous, angry, distrustful, and for a good reason. BZZT!"
Guardian flinched.
"BZZT! This is an endeavour of great trust, and thanks on our part, Grovyle. You are a hero to the pokémon, and you are powerful. For whatever reason you have chosen to stake such risk on Dusknoir, I may never understand. I can only hope that you are not deceived, as we all were, by Dusknoir. BZZT!"
Striker nodded as Saniya zoomed to Guardian and pulled him away from the building, as if getting him a few meters away made him safer.
"You have my word," Striker said, glancing between Magnezone, Armaldo, and Wigglytuff. "And thank you for this opportunity. I know Dusknoir has chosen this path out of a genuine desire to make things right. He, and we, will not let you down."
"BZZT! I'll leave the finer details to the Guildmaster and the Second. You may go. BZZT!"
Armaldo joined Wigglytuff as Guardian sagged, the magne-pokémon returning to the inside of their home base.
"I can't believe you did that," Guardian whispered, covering his face.
"Like we'd let you off the hook so easily," Saniya said, giving him a gentle jab with her elbow. "You've got to suffer with us for a while longer."
"Thank you. Even if you really shouldn't have done that, thank you."
"It was that or become a criminal again," Striker joked. Guardian glared at him, but Saniya giggled as she imagined a wanted poster for herself.
Wanted Saniya, the Celebi. For her terrible crimes of putting tamato berries in all the food, tripping that silly pokémon Armaldo twelve times and general noisemaking. This is a menace, unlike any other. Reward, all of the apples, as well as three hugs.
Fiendish, she knew.
"Okay," Armaldo said, stepping back from his rapid whisper session with Wigglytuff. "That, I admit, wasn't expected." He gave Striker especially a hard look, knowing it was the Grovyle's fault. Striker glared back until Guardian elbowed him for it.
Guardian floated up, hands raised up. "If you'd prefer to stun me again before we go anywhere, I understand."
"I dislike you," Armaldo said, bluntly. Saniya gasped. "Partially for the things I know you've done, but mostly for this cloying, apologetic, behaviour. Whether you are or are not genuinely remorseful, your behaviour comes across as self-pitying and will not impress anyone. If you want to earn forgiveness or whatever it is, remain silent, do what is asked of you, and keep the defeatist attitude to a minimum."
"Very well," Guardian said softly. He straightened his back, his eye flickered once or twice, but he did as he asked and didn't speak.
"You're in front," Armaldo said, waiting until Guardian was indeed in front. "I'm next. Your buddies next, then Wigglytuff."
"This is ridiculous," Saniya complained, but Striker went along with it. "We're not going to do anything."
"YOU have made it clear that you will do something if you deem it necessary," Armaldo said as they began the walk back. "And I do not know you, so I cannot be sure what you will deem as necessary."
"You're mean."
"Fine."
"Meanie."
Armaldo didn't respond, and the five were somehow quieter and more awkward on the walk back to the guild.
After Saniya tried and failed to trip Armaldo several times, Striker ended it, and she floated around Guardian like a guardian angel for the remainder of the night.
Despite the guild's many, many, MANY questions, Armaldo was too done with the night to answer too many questions.
"Why is HE here?"
"Oh golly, Dusknoir's back?"
"Oh my gosh, WHAT?"
"Hey-hey-hey, what gives?"
"We are filled with discontent over this."
"I've heard more than enough to know he's bad news."
"Shut up!" Armaldo ordered, silencing the guild. "He's on probation with us for the time being. Dusknoir, along with his… teammates." Saniya waved, Striker held his own hand up half-heartedly. "Will be staying with us. Because of that, Flaaffy and Paras." The two named pokémon perked up. "You're going to have to move."
"What?" Flaaffy yelled.
"Oh, okay," Paras said, acquitting easily.
Armaldo nodded at the smaller Bug-type before turning to Flaaffy. "Unless you'd like to stay with Dusknoir?"
Flaaffy opened his mouth to protest further and further, but his eyes fell on the standing trio, and all that came out was a bleat.
He crossed his arms. "If I have to move, I'm not sharing with Paras again," he growled.
"Fine. Stay with Sunflora and Chimecho and Paras can have her own room."
"WHAT?" Flaaffy demanded, but Armaldo was already walking away. "Hey! Hey!"
"That's my thing," Corphish said, scuttling up to him. "Give it a rest."
Flaaffy turned his head and scoffed before stomping off. "Fine."
Sunflora ran after him. "Wait up! I'll help move your bed!"
"My bed, I move it!" Was all that was heard before their voices faded.
Chimecho, having poked her head out of the medical wing to listen in sighed. "I'd best make sure Flaaffy is calmed down. Grovyle and… just Grovyle, would you sit with Riolu for a moment? He's asleep now, but I'd like to know he's under observation."
Striker nodded and quickly ran up, passing Chimecho, leaving Saniya and Guardian to remain standing together.
"I…" Guardian began, before considering Armaldo's words and simply cutting himself short. Saniya was less controlled than he was.
"So," she began, meeting everyone's eyes in kind. "Anyone who's got a problem with Gahhh… Dusky here has a problem with me! And my sweet Grovyle too. So, you know?" She punched her palm, before spotting Paras.
Saniya gasped and zoomed straight at her. "You have mushrooms on your back! How EXCITING! You must tell me everything."
Paras nearly fainted upon being bombarded with pink celebi. She meeped and rolled onto her back and then passed out.
"Did it die?"
"Celebi," Guardian said, strained. That caused a reaction.
"Who are…?" Corphish was asking before Guardian's word hit with the apprentices.
"CELEBI?" everyone yelled at once.
"YES!" Saniya yelled back with near-equal volume. There was a loudred yelling, can't really beat that.
Saniya did a few laps of the room. "I'm the great and magnificent one who sent everyone around to the past to save the world. You may all thank me as much as you'd like. Trust me; I don't mind."
Saniya preened under the sudden influx of talking. She couldn't quite hear what was being said, but she was sure it was compliments.
"Everyone!" Wigglytuff yelled, raising his hands. The world seemed to blink for a moment, and the horde calmed down. "I understand that we are all very excited," he said patiently. "But we cannot overwhelm our new guests."
"Guildmaster?" Dugtrio asked, burrowing closer. "Please, tell us what is going on. Leaving us all in the dark, with Dusknoir back here, Celebi amongst us, pokémon having returned. It is all so confusing, and Shinx and Litleo were scarcely able to explain anything."
"All we know is that Dialga, or something else, brought Grovyle, Celebi, and… Dusknoir back," Diglett added. "And that Riolu also just returned and that there is no sign of Meowth."
"What we know," Wigglytuff began. "Is that these four are indeed returned. How exactly, we… didn't quite get to. But Dusknoir has reportedly changed." He glanced at Rai for a moment.
"He did… help in that final battle," Rai said, reminding everyone of his story.
"Indeed. Grovyle and Celebi assured us of his change, and with… abject refusal to allow him to be arrested, it has been decided that Grovyle, Celebi, Dusknoir… and perhaps Riolu?" He glanced at Guardian, who contemplated it. "Are to form a team. They will work with the guild, and live here, doing work in town until it is decided that Dusknoir has indeed changed for the better and has made up for his past wrongdoings."
"And anyone who disagrees gets the fist of doom!" Saniya added, raising the fist in question. Then she quickly lowered it. "Sorry, that was the fist of justice. THIS!" she raised her other hand. "Is the fist of doom."
There was no real way to argue that.
"We'll discuss this further tomorrow morning," Wigglytuff said. "For now, let's have dinner!"
Dinner was a tense and silent affair, although Wigglytuff continued to dance regardless, and those who had missed Wigglytuff's announcement were filled in there.
It was agreed that Scout could be discussed tomorrow as well, as tonight was simply growing too much to sensibly and maturely take in at once. Striker changed hands with Chimecho and joined Saniya and Guardian in their new room.
Not much sleep happened that night.
The next morning had perhaps the earliest assembly held. No one slept well, leaving red eyes, wobbly legs, and short tempers to run amok through the guild.
Rai and Mane found themselves standing up further from the apprentices, standing with Striker, Saniya, and Guardian.
Guardian, Dusknoir, whatever anyone wanted to call him was expressly not looking at anyone, but everyone had him in their sights. Saniya yawned constantly, but the sunlight streaming through a window caught her and caused her to almost sparkle in the light.
Striker was the most composed of the three, but his eyes were permanently fixed on the direction Chimecho had gone. Everyone was waiting for her to return from the medical wing, hopefully with a riolu in tow.
Wigglytuff's presence kept everyone in line while Armaldo's keen-eyed glare on the future trio made sure they wouldn't be doing anything without him knowing about it.
A door clanked shut, and three faced brightened considerably, each one seeing over the heads of the guild as Chimecho and, more importantly, Sean made their way.
Sean raced ahead of Chimecho, disregarding her words to take it easy, and was immediately taken into a hug by Striker.
"I almost can't believe you're alright," Striker murmured. Saniya cheered and flew around them in a pinkish blur and Guardian beamed.
"I can't believe you're all actually here," Sean replied, detangling himself from Striker and accepting a hug from Saniya as soon as she could.
"Riolu," Guardian said softly, nodding his head. Sean gave him a curious upturn of the head, and numerous emotions flashed across his face. Confusion, hurt, anger, happiness, sadness, joy, puzzlement. He let go of Saniya and took a cautious step towards Guardian, but hesitated.
He glanced at the pair with a questioning look, opening his mouth to ask. "What… happened exactly? Everything's been such a blur."
"That's what we're here for!" Wigglytuff called, catching Sean's attention. "One last talk to figure out what's going on before we decide what's going to happen next."
The riolu nodded and joined the future trio, standing between Striker and Saniya after casting one last look to Guardian.
With everyone present, all eyes turned to Striker. Saniya was too erratic, and Guardian was far too distrusted. And Sean seemed to have no idea either. It was down to Striker to explain.
"Hopefully, this will be the last time I need to explain this," he started before going into everything he knew. From the time in the Dark Future where Guardian finally made a change for the better, Striker made sure to include that, to dragging Primal Dialga back to the future, he spoke.
"We accepted it was done. We always knew that changing time would sacrifice ourselves," Striker explained. Rai made a sound close by, and Mane bumped him lightly. They already knew that, he reminded without words.
"Then… then we woke up. In the same place, but with a much smaller Dialga staring at us."
Striker continued, revealing as best as he knew about how they survived, to assisting Dialga in repairing Temporal Tower up until Dialga sent them here.
"Dialga said that sending us back was not our only reward," Striker said, eyes falling to Sean. Everyone followed, and Sean blushed a little under all the attention.
"So… Dialga revived me?" Sean asked. "But you said that Dialga was not the one who revived you."
Striker nodded. "I don't know exactly, but Dialga must at least knew this was going to happen."
"What about Meowth?" Rai called, having listened silently up until now.
"Yes," Guardian said, voice heavy. His eye burned into Sean as he asked. "Where is he?"
Sean met Guardian's eye with a confused look. "I… don't know? The last I remember is disappearing at Temporal Tower, and then appearing on the beach. I haven't felt any passing of time. It's just been then, and then now."
Guardian's stare became heavier before he nodded and floated a step back.
"So, why did Riolu appear on the beach then?" Mane asked, deciding to point out the hard questions. "You guys appeared, what, where you disappeared?"
Striker nodded.
"He didn't disappear at the beach. Secondly, why is it just Riolu? Where is Meowth?"
"I wish I could tell you," Sean admitted, rubbing his arm uncomfortably. "Surely he must be around here somewhere? If I appeared somewhere completely different, maybe Scout did too!"
There wasn't much of a reaction at Sean saying Scout's name. Everyone knew it already thanks to Guardian.
Plus, Rai had been particularly bad at calling him Meowth over their time together.
"Then, we should look for him!" Rai said. "Who knows where he might have ended up? He might even be back at the Hidden Land!"
"Probably not," Striker pointed out. "If Dialga knew, I don't see why they would have sent us away."
"Well, maybe Dialga knows something anyway," Mane cut in. "Why Meowth isn't around yet. I think there are some questions it can answer for us!"
Rai nodded at him. "He's right, if Dialga was able to revive Riolu or just knew it was going to happen, then it must know something about Scout as well!"
Beyond the perception of anyone in the room, Scout smiled at Rai.
Striker shot a look to Saniya and Guardian, asking without speaking. Both of them knew Dialga somewhat better than he did, Saniya out of friendliness and Guardian out of loyalty.
Biting her lip, Saniya gave a nervous giggle. "Uh, I guess? It's probably a good idea."
"Master Dialga could surely shed some light on what's going on." Guardian nodded.
Satisfied, Striker turned back to the depleted Team Ion. "Dialga can be difficult at times, but yes. Maybe it does know something."
"Either way," Mane said, strolling forward. "Dialga will be able to tell us something."
"Where are you going?" Rai asked, running after him.
"To the beach," he said, as if it was obvious. "You got there and back on that lapras, and so did they. He even said he could take us back tomorrow, which is today, so I'm not waiting around."
"Hang on," Armaldo snapped, plucking the litleo off the ground by the scruff of his neck. Mane hissed and swiped at him, but Armaldo held him well out of harm's way. "You're not just running off like that."
Mane was set down, and he steamed grumpily. Armaldo nodded to Wigglytuff, knowing the younger pokémon had heard enough to make some decisions.
"Okay!" Wigglytuff yelled as the apprentices had begun to talk. "We've got three plans of action for today! First, we are going to set out some teams to see if they can find any trace of Meowth of Team Ion. He may have returned and simply appeared somewhere else."
Sunflora, Bidoof, Corphish, and Paras were immediately raising a limb to volunteer for the search.
"Second, Team Ion is going to head to the Hidden Land to ask Dialga if it knows anything."
"By themselves?" Striker asked, concerned. "The journey is not as harrowing as it was the first time, but to find Dialga, you would at least need to make it to the Old Ruins. That's not an easy prospect for two pokémon."
"I'll go with them," Sean offered, Chimecho immediately protested.
"You are still recovering!" she snapped.
Sean did a few stretches. "I'm fine, and I want answers too. Why I'm back, and where Scout is. And I've made that trip before." He nodded to Striker, who was frowning.
"It isn't like you can go along with him," Armaldo added, gesturing to Guardian. "You, nor the celebi, can leave the town as per your own agreement to keep an eye on Dusknoir. Or are you thinking of disregarding your promises already?"
Sean nodded to Striker; he knew that from when the grovyle had visited him last night. "I'm the best bet. Would Lapras even allow anyone else?"
"He might not even take Litleo," Striker pointed out, getting a glare from Mane.
"We'll see about THAT!" Mane declared, stomping a foot and leaving a scorch mark on the floor.
Wigglytuff clapped his paws and beamed. "Alright, everyone, time to get to work!"
"HOORAY!"
Armaldo stomped over and took the future trio to the side as Wigglytuff moved to start dividing the pokémon up into guild work and meowth searching.
Sean joined Rai and Mane and managed a smile to the two. "Feels like yesterday we were heading out."
Rai gave a small smile of his own, and Mane snorted at him.
"Team Ion? Riolu?" Wigglytuff called, already done with dividing the apprentices. He came over and gave all three of them a hug at the same time. "Go to the stores and take whatever you want for this journey. I'll see you off at the beach. Armaldo will make sure Grovyle, Celebi, and Dusknoir know what they are doing."
Happy to follow for the moment, silently digesting everything he was learning, Sean followed Rai and Mane to the stores and helped pick out a few items.
There was a moment of awkwardness as the bag was passed around, it settled on Sean before long, and none of them spoke about it.
There was a stiffness between the three. A pervading thought that all three felt, but none were willing to speak the words. As to say, it would be awful. Even thinking it, however involuntarily and untruthfully, was awful.
You are the wrong one.
Sean didn't call Rai cute for sneezing when he inhaled too much dust at one moment, or lazily swipe at Mane's tail.
Rai didn't tackle-hug Sean, and Mane didn't make inappropriate remarks about him.
There was just silence.
You are the wrong one.
They met Wigglytuff at the beach after Sean had bid his goodbyes to Striker, unable to stop himself from smiling as he said. "See you later." And meaning it.
Striker grinned as well. He hated to see Sean go already but having the hope that he WOULD see Sean again, which raised everyone's moods.
They found Wigglytuff chatting to Lapras. There was a certain sadness to Wigglytuff, Lapras had offered condolences for Chatot, but he was still smiling at them.
"Got everything you need?" he asked. Sean nodded, patting the bag. "Excellent." He turned back to Lapras, who was wearing a most uncertain face.
"I am… unsure," he said, looking past Rai and Sean to Mane. "As per the rules, I don't think I am allowed to bring the litleo."
"I am NOT being left behind again," Mane snapped, he walked up to Lapras and brushed some fur out of the way, exposing a scar along his neck. "I was there too; I would have come along had those monsters not slashed me."
Wigglytuff gave him a gentle pat, and Mane stopped fuming. The smoke was irritating everyone's noses.
Lapras made a considering sound and glanced at Rai. "The Key was the proof needed to come along," he said, eying the Relic Fragment around Rai's neck.
Rai's ears flicked as he realised what Lapras was insinuating. He took the necklace off without hesitation and trotted to Mane, looping it around his neck.
"I see no problems then!" Lapras beamed. "You two have already been chosen, and a new bearer is before me. Hop on."
Mane rolled his eyes at it all, but couldn't hide a small, happy, smile on his face at Rai's gift. He knew it wasn't for him, but he continued to wear it over the Silver Bow as everyone climbed onto Lapras' shell.
"Good luck, everyone!" Wigglytuff said and waved them off.
"Thank you for the company," Lapras said, "and the thrilling conversation."
"You are welcome here any time, Lapras," Wigglytuff said, and Lapras smiled. The four of them drifted off over the sea, and Wigglytuff watched them for a while longer than he should have.
"Armaldo will be needing me," Wigglytuff said to himself, smiling slightly. He watched a moment longer, remembering another team he saw a scene quite like that. Then he turned and ran back to Treasure Town. Things could devolve into a messy panic if Dusknoir wasn't properly reintroduced to the town.
"Wow, those pokémon were motherless bastards," Mane chirped as the dungeon finally began to change, become less controlled, and moved into the natural growth of the sane world.
"Believe it or not, it was worse when we first came through here," Rai said, limping slightly. He'd gotten a nasty blow to his right foreleg and was feeling it hard.
Sean chuckled. "As someone who mentally went through here yesterday, I'm just relieved they weren't crawling out of cracks in reality and gunning for us. That was just no good. I did not like that."
The riolu wasn't in terrible condition. Having kept in mind Sean's state the other day, both Rai and Mane tried to handle as much as they could without putting him in danger.
Sean appreciated the thought, but he never had and never was going to let others fight for him. The most distant feeling of irony had hit him, thinking of the time he wanted to be a Pokémon Trainer.
Then it passed, and they had continued fighting through.
Thankfully, most of the pokémon were fine with leaving them alone or could be warded off with enough force. Nothing like the rampaging life-or-death fights it had been before.
Soon enough, the three stepped into the Old Ruins. Mane whistled as they passed by the ancient scriptures, now cleared of rubble and left looking cleaned and quite nice. Sean could see Guardian's work on them; he was always so meticulous.
That was a weird thought to him. Any thoughts considering Guardian were. The dusknoir had came through at their final moments and proven he could still do what was right.
But betrayal's cut stung deep and far, and no single action would be enough to ease that burn. Sean preferred not thinking about it. He'd have to face it when they got back to Treasure Town, but not now.
For now, they had Dialga to face.
It waited for them at the top of the Rainbow Stoneship, staring down at them with an impassive glare. Mane gave a low whistle as they ascended the steps, Rai noted that Dialga seemed a little larger than the last time he had seen it, while Sean knew that it was larger.
The three were out of breath by the time they had climbed the pyramid, but Dialga gave them no time to catch their breath.
"Pokémon, who changed time," it began, disregarding Mane completely. "Why are you here?"
Annoyed at being either mistaken or ignored, Mane was the first to reply. "We want to ask you a question."
"You would come all the way to the Hidden Land to ask I, Dialga, the ruler of time, a question?" Mane's lip may have curled from Dialga's tone, but it was a powerful creature, and he did know how to show respect.
Sean stepped forward. "To me, it feels like I only disappeared yesterday. But it has been months. My friends are here, Grovyle and Celebi… even Dusknoir. But what about Meowth? Where is he?"
Dialga rolled its eyes. "Of course," it muttered. "One cannot expect a gift to be given without the recipients to hold their hands out for more." Dialga shook its head as Rai and Mane shared a frown. "I knew why you had come, and I have no answers you want to hear, but I have answers regardless."
Sean gave Rai and Mane a fearful look as Dialga rose to its full height. Still nothing to the previous Dialga, but it towered over them regardless.
"The previous Dialga's problems could not die with it," Dialga said. "The mess it has caused has been left to me to clean up. I do now know why your companions were revived, only one entity, I believe, could have done so, but the likelihood is low. Arceus is supposed to be hibernating. But… but that may not have been true of the future, which this time is now the current of."
"What are you talking about?" Rai asked, Dialga turned its eyes on him.
"Things above your station. Let me be blunt, the continued existence of Grovyle, that celebi, and Dusknoir are the literal grace of Arceus. The reason that one." It nodded to Sean. "Exists is a final, single, thank you for what has been done. None more."
"Where is Scout?" Mane asked lowly. For a brief moment, Dialga's eyes flicked to his side, right by Rai. But he said something else. "Gone."
Everything felt cold to Rai and Mane, and they exchanged a terrified glance.
"Why me?" Sean asked, voice cracking. He stepped forward. "Please. You revived me, didn't you?"
"I did."
"Why did I disappear in the first place?" Sean demanded before shaking his head. "I never really thought about it when we were fighting to change time, but… I wasn't from the Dark Future; I was from my own world. Changing time, it shouldn't… I didn't… erase my own world, did I?"
Dialga shook its head. "No. Your world, whatever and wherever it is, would be fine. You were erased due to the blanket reaction to any paradox. Regardless of your origins, you spent enough time in a reality that now doesn't and never existed. Time has an automatic response to anything that causes such a paradox, regardless of how large or what kind. Erasure."
"What about me, then?" Mane interjected. "I was in the future too!"
"Where you? For how long?"
"A… like two days?"
Dialga rolled its eyes. "Riolu spent enough time in that reality. You did not."
"Thank you for explaining." Sean nodded but tensed his jaw again. "But why me?"
Dialga stared impassively at him for some time. "Because I felt a reward needed to be given." Dialga looked up for a moment before taking a breath and facing the trio once more.
"It was a choice between Riolu and Meowth. I weighed this decision for some time; ultimately, I have chosen Riolu to bear this reward. Meowth shall not."
"That isn't fair!"
That caused a ripple of shock through a duo. It wasn't Rai, or Mane, who had yelled that. It was from Sean.
"Couldn't you have ASKED us or something?" Sean exploded. "Reviving me? Me? Why? Scout deserves it more than me. Turn this back, redo, undo this, bring HIM back?"
Dialga was unmoved by this display. "What right do you have to demand why? I could erase you from existence," it said, inflection still unchanging. "But, I would not use that emptiness to return Meowth."
"Why?"
Dialga's eyes darkened. "I would first like to point out; I graciously revived you at great risk for myself. Do not dare come to me and attempt to squander this offering. You were erased from reality, never to exist again, doomed to be forgotten to even your closest friends and family. I undid that, and you would come to me and demand otherwise? How dare you?"
Sean flinched, but he held firm. "If it was ever a choice, I always would choose someone else," he muttered.
"Even Dusknoir?" Dialga asked. He didn't wait for Sean to reply. "Regardless, there was another aspect to my choice you do not understand. Do you not remember your physical state upon revival?"
Sean frowned and looked to the rather quiet Rai and Mane.
"You were in a pretty bad state," Rai said, softly.
"Precisely," Dialga rumbled. "To revive you, I brought you back as you were, badly injured but not hopeless. You do not realise how injured Meowth was, do you?"
No one responded to that.
"He was dying already." Rai and Mane flinched. "His injuries would have ended his life before you had reached Lapras." Sean flinched. "And those wounds could not simply be undone by healing and items. I may not have existed long, but I may call upon my predecessor's memory. Infection of the blood, broken ribs, exhaustion, dehydration. All these things can kill on their own, but Meowth was suffering it all. Even if he was to be revived, he would die regardless."
"N-no," Rai said. "No. NO! You can't be right."
"What right do you have to call me mistaken?" Dialga demanded, glaring right through Rai. Mane stepped between them.
"He saved the world," Mane growled back. "And we all lost someone that day."
Again, Dialga's eyes flicked past Mane and to something else. Never for long, however.
Dialga shook its head. "I have given you my answer," it said. "Meowth cannot be brought back. There is no point."
"Someone can save him!" Rai said, stepping out from behind Mane. "If we find someone who can, you can bring him back!"
"And how long would this take?" Dialga snapped. "There is not an unlimited time to do so. Eventually, he will be truly unreachable. You would not have long."
"We can do it."
"I will not."
"WHY?"
Dialga loomed over the trio, eyes flat and unmoved. "It is not worth it."
Rai and Mane both growled, and Sean's aura tassels rose for a moment. Dialga gave them a daring look.
No one acted.
Satisfied, it raised its head. "If only to stop you from returning to bother me, I will offer you ONE thing."
It focused on Rai, the real issue here. "The longer you cling to your memory of him, the longer you will suffer, the longer HE will suffer. Let me erase him from your memory; that way, you may all have peace."
"What?" Rai spluttered. "What? Never."
Dialga blinked at the sheer resolve in Rai's voice. "Never?"
"Never."
"Never," Mane added.
Sean nodded. "Never."
Dialga shook its head. "Then I have no further business with you. I offered you a choice between suffering and peace, and you choose to suffer. Leave."
"We will find someone else!" Rai snapped.
"You said Arceus," Mane added.
"We'll find it," Sean finished.
Dialga gave the four of them one last look before it turned away. Angry and upset, the three of them left, but the one who was not there remained behind.
Scout looked up at Dialga. As the footsteps of the three began to fade, it turned back to him. He had tried speaking to it if anyone could hear him, it'd be Dialga.
"You can hear me," Scout said. It was no question.
"Ooh! Team Celebi and the Bois!"
Striker, Saniya, and Guardian were unhappy to remain behind as Sean left already, but it was what they had agreed to. For the time being, they were waiting for Wigglytuff as Armaldo wasn't letting them anywhere close to town without as much backup as he could get.
Officer Magnezone, two magnetons, and Deputy Magnemite had also arrived to make sure the townsfolk were informed of what was going on. Magnemite had gone on ahead to gather the citizens of Treasure Town and prepare them for Dusknoir's arrival.
In the meantime, Guardian had pointed out that if they were to be a team, they were going to need a team name.
Saniya had ideas.
"Team PIT. Team Super Gals. Team Saviour… Team Charm!"
"BZZT! There is already a Team Charm. BZZT!"
Saniya cursed some filthy curse words. "They've made the list!"
"Team Charm are good pokémon," Guardian said, tiredly.
"Fine, fine. Team… Randy Dandy!"
"Who that?" Wigglytuff asked, rolling down the slope. Armaldo sighed in relief and quit babysitting the anxious trio.
"Good to see you back," Armaldo said, looking back to the trio. "Very well then, let's get a move on. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can relax."
Wigglytuff giggled as they all began to trek to Treasure Town. "You never relax."
Armaldo didn't grace that with a response.
The three pokémon of a nameless team stepped somewhat quietly. Striker did, at least, Saniya tried to trip Armaldo until Guardian grabbed her and carried her the rest of the way, both of them floating regardless.
Deputy Magnemite had a crowd ready for them, which left all three various shades of anxiety. Striker didn't like crowds, especially this specific crowd, thanks to his previous encounters with the pokémon of Treasure Town.
Flighty, judgemental, quick to point fingers, and judge. Extra judgemental. He wasn't looking forward to this.
Saniya was perhaps tenser, and she had very little experience with so many pokémon at once. Most were a risk of selling her out in the Dark Future or would try to contain her in place to protect their settlement.
Guardian was paradoxically the calmest of the three. He knew what to expect, and he welcomed it.
Wigglytuff went ahead of them to explain the situation before thrusting the three into the spotlight, with Armaldo and the magneton remaining back with them. Officer Magnezone went to relieve their deputy.
"Pokémon of Treasure Town!" Wigglytuff boomed, raising both paws. "We have had amazing news today! Some of the heroes of time that were lost have returned!"
The crowd, who had some idea of what to expect, cheered in confusion. Wigglytuff sounded happy, and his words began to register, leading to a wider cheer.
"Grovyle and Riolu have returned as have two other heroes," Wigglytuff continued. Magnezone gave him an annoying buzz at that. "We are still looking into Scout, but Celebi, the pokémon who sent our heroes back in time, as well as Dusknoir, have returned safely!"
The cheers stopped.
Wigglytuff continued to beam and gestured to where Armaldo was, out of sight.
"Now, the guild and Team Magnezone are not willing to allow Dusknoir free just like that," Wigglytuff explained, a mite more serious now. Slowly, Striker slinked into view. "We have assurances from both Shinx as well as Grovyle and Celebi that Dusknoir has, in fact, changed his ways and assisted in saving time."
Saniya floated in next, surprisingly bashful, and she hid behind Striker. Guardian was last, with Armaldo with him. Hisses and boos immediately began to break across the crowd, but Guardian didn't react to it.
"Guildmaster Wigglytuff, you cannot be serious!" a villager shouted.
"That guy nearly killed us all!"
"He wrecked Treasure Town."
"He lied to us all! Manipulated us all!"
"He poisoned our water supply, burned our crops, and delivered a plague unto our houses!"
"He… did?" Wigglytuff asked, puzzled.
"NO! But are we just going to stand around until he does?"
The accusations began to build, and Wigglytuff needed to resort to a minor Yoom-TAH to quiet the crowd.
"Yes," he said. "We all know what Dusknoir has done, but out of respect for Grovyle the Hero's wishes, we are giving Dusknoir a role to play to begin making up for what he has done. He will be under watch and guard by the guild, Team Magnezone, as well as Grovyle and Celebi. The three of them will be doing work for the town, work in which is not usually brought to the guild."
He paused for a moment to let this sink in. Quickly, mutters of discontent began to build again. Someone yelled out.
"How can we trust he's not using us again?"
At that, Striker stepped forward.
"Citizens of Treasure Town," he said, voice deep and serious, spreading across the crowd, and more than a few pokémon shivered. "I have stood here twice. Once in chains to be dragged to my death, and once again under scrutiny, as you all questioned my intentions."
That caused a few flinches and turned cheeks.
"Now I stand here again, alive despite my sacrifice, time still standing for us all. Shinx, Riolu, Chatot, Meowth, Celebi, myself, and yes, Dusknoir." He nodded to Guardian. "All played instrumental roles in saving you all. I won't defend Dusknoir's actions. However, I do understand them. We are here, and we only wish to ask one thing, one thing for everything we did to save you all. Give us a chance."
"He… he was the one who was dragging you!" someone yelled, but unlike before, there wasn't a quick murmur of agreement throughout the crowd.
"And I have forgiven him," Striker replied. "I understand that you all cannot. At least for now. But I swear to you all that not only has Dusknoir changed, but we shall prove it. Celebi and I will be with him at all times, working together for the benefit of pokémon in this… in the world. There will be no risk to you; we only ask for a chance. Please."
Wigglytuff smiled at Striker, and the grovyle stepped back. Striker doubted this would convince much of anyone really, but regardless of Treasure Town's feelings on the matter, this was going to happen. He simply hoped he could sway some from giving them a hard time about it.
Wigglytuff, with Armaldo's help, explained the rest of the situation as well as the rules around Armaldo. The vast majority of pokémon were not happy to see Dusknoir again, but the presence of Grovyle was helping.
Soon enough, everyone dissembled to their days, murmuring about the new developments. Armaldo had asked for the pokémon to deliver requests to the guild that generally would not be considered for guild work. Such a prospect, free labour even, was appealing to some of the more frugal pokémon in the town.
Until they were given direction, the team with no name stuck around Armaldo, listening to Saniya list even zanier names to call themselves.
"Team Trucker Hat. I don't know what that is, but Giratina talked about hating them. Ooh! Team Grumpy Giratina!"
"Why not just go all the way and call us Team Offensive?" Guardian muttered, crossing his arms. He hadn't reacted to any of the barbs being yelled his way, but he had felt them.
"According to what I've heard," Armaldo said suddenly, speaking up from where he was relaxing. "You could call yourself Team Handsome."
"No one asked for your opinion, Pinchy," Saniya snapped.
Armaldo snorted. "That the best you've got?"
"I don't see you coming up with any insults! Too afraid to sling with the celebi?"
"You're not worth it."
Saniya gasped, went purple, and began flicking Armaldo. "You are the meanest, rudest, and most insufferable cretin to ever crawl out of the ooze that you were laid in."
"Thank you."
Fearing that Saniya may have an aneurysm, Striker stepped up and pulled her back, letting her throw fists at Armaldo from afar. "Let me at 'em!" she demanded, pumping her wings. "Let me at em!"
"I think she needs some juice and a nap," Armaldo said.
"Yes, I do!" Saniya snapped. "Those town pokémon were so mean to Guardian. He needs juice and a nap as well! And they all need to have splinters in their feet. I'll put splinters in their feet," she muttered.
"I'm not your therapist," Armaldo yawned. "Although you clearly need one."
"I don't know what that is, so I hate it!"
"It's someone who coaches you through your problems. Of which, you, in particular, clearly have many."
"May we please calm down," Striker asked, bordering on pleading.
"No! Because he's completely right and I hate that even more! Get me a therapist."
"There's only one in town," Armaldo said, turning to look at them properly. "And she may not want to entertain you with Dusknoir's bad reputation here."
"Then I shall make everyone LOVE us!" Saniya declared. "Then, I will get a therapist."
"Sure, you'll need to abide by some rules."
"Fine."
"Such as not attacking anyone who annoys you."
"Whatever."
"Or picking endless arguments over trivial matters."
"Alright."
"And following directions always, not just when you please."
"Well…"
"And listening and abiding when someone tells you to stop."
"You're no fun."
Armaldo levelled her with a serious look. "I am serious. I'll put in a good word for you if you behave. Based on what hell you've been through, if the rumours I've heard are anywhere close to true, all three of you will likely need it. Riolu too."
"I don't see the big deal," Striker said, but Saniya gave him a look. It was odd; it was half flirty, half weak, and wanting that had nothing to do with him.
"I don't want to do it alone," she said quietly.
"Alright," Striker sighed, and she perked up.
"That goes for all three of you, AND Riolu," Armaldo pointed out.
"Yes, we'll abide by your rules," Striker said. "We already agreed to."
Armaldo nodded. "Good. It is simply preferable to ensure everyone understands the benefits here. You will help and be helped. The guild will pay Azumarill for her services, assuming you three continue to abide by the rules."
With an understanding reached, Saniya still vowed to trip Armaldo over one day. The older pokémon took them back to the guild to ready them for whatever job he could pull together on this first day.
Of the three of them, Striker was easily the most exhausted.
Saniya was a powerful pokémon, even now, weakened as she was, her strength was still impressive. And with Psychic, it was child's play for her to levitate the boxes and crates they had been issued with moving.
Armaldo had been approached by Purple of the Kecleon Brother's, explaining that the two of them were interested in the free labour being offered. Armaldo had accepted once the terms were disclosed and retrieved Croagunk and two magnetons to watch over the trio as they worked for the kecleon duo.
There were a shocking number of boxes that had to be moved. Both wares being brought to the Kecleon Market and home delivery. They were packed with berries, seeds, and even orbs, which Striker was not allowed to handle.
Saniya had an easy time of it, but Striker hadn't. Guardian, too was winded, but exhaustion affected him in different ways. His bag was less straight, and his arms sagged a little, but he was a tough pokémon regardless and refused to complain.
Striker was lithe, somewhat slender, and while he was strong, he was not so used to carry boxes around. Even when assisting Dialga repairing the tower, he didn't so much carry around objects as he did fix them in place.
He was tired also of needing to verbally, and sometimes physically, pull Saniya back. He felt for her, Saniya held such an ideal in mind as they were coming here, and her hopes had been dashed completely with the negative reaction to Guardian. But her behaviour was beginning to wear down his patience.
A day of carrying items under scrutiny from Croagunk, two magnetons, and the whole town had been exhausting, but their day was not yet over.
Armaldo had gotten word from Spinda that he had some items he also needed to be moved. But his café was not yet open, leaving the trio to wait around at the crossroads awkwardly. Loitering in town didn't seem like a smart idea, and returning to the guild was simply asking for Saniya to argue with Armaldo again.
The guild's pokémon also would just be more of the same as heading into town. So, the three with their trio of guards just stood around.
Guardian was quiet, as he had been told by Armaldo to be quiet. Striker was quiet; he was just tired. Saniya was not quiet.
"Team… Loop. Team Sugar. Team Berry. Team Orb-Haters!"
"That's untrue," Striker said, heat entering his words even as his voice was scratchy.
"Team…"
"Go-Getters?" Guardian said, suddenly.
Saniya cocked her head. "Hmm…"
"No, them." Guardian pointed, and two pairs of eyes followed along the path. Returning to Treasure Town from a difficult rescue, each member carrying a different pokémon, was none other than Team Go-Getters.
"They stole your name!" Saniya gasped. "I'll regain your honour."
Guardian caught her as she tried to zoom past him. "No," he said tiredly. "It was their name before any of us even came to this time."
"Hm." Saniya stroked her chin. "I want to talk to them!" She freed herself of Guardian's hold and zipped to them. "HI!"
In terms of surprise encounters, Team Go-Getters was accustomed to pokémon coming right into their personal space and screeching at them. Therefore, there was hardly a reaction before Chikorita smiled. "Hello there."
Held above her, in Chikorita's vines, was an unconscious dragonair. Charizard held a flygon, while Wartortle carried a deino.
"Ooh, beat up some bad guys, did you!" Saniya beamed.
Chikorita shook her head. "No-no. A rescue of Team Drake. They need some help, so may we pass?"
Saniya did move aside, and Team Go-Getters quickly headed up to the guild.
Hoping they'd return, Saniya floated back and forth at the road break that headed to the guild. It took a few minutes, but the legendary team appeared heading back, and Saniya beamed. "HI!"
Chikorita gave a small sigh but put on a charming expression and led the way with the boys behind her. "Hello. Celebi, right?"
"Ah, my reputation precedes me."
Chikorita nodded. "Also, Armaldo explained what was going on."
Saniya sagged. "Gosh darn it!" She pouted and then crossed her arms. "I guess you hate us all too."
"Not at all," Charizard gasped, offended at the prospect of hatred. Wartortle nudged him.
"It's… curious to see you all," Chikorita said, "but we don't agree with judging solely on the opinions of others." Charizard and Wartortle nodded, one particular pokémon in mind as they did so.
"If you're going to be sticking around, then we might get to know you." Eyes turned to Wartortle, and he stepped forward to offer his hand to Saniya. "I'm Wartortle. It's great to meet you."
Saniya took his hand and gave a vigorous shake, rattling him for a moment. "Hooray! I like you three. You are reasonable." She beamed and received smiles in return. Saniya looked down at the hand she was still shaking and hummed. "Human, right?"
Wartortle couldn't help but blink. "I… yes. You heard about me, then?"
Releasing him, Saniya shook her head. "Not at all. Dusknoir had to tell me what your team was called. Did you say anything about humans?" she asked, turning to him.
He shook his head.
"There," she said, turning back to him. "It's just pretty obvious that you were human, shaking hands and all. That's what Sean does when he meets new people! Oh! Are you overly attached to your clothes as well? Sean would just NEVER let me have them."
"Humans tend to like to keep their clothes on," Wartortle replied, casting pleading looks at Chikorita. She just smirked at him and strolled over to talk to Striker.
"Were you tall? Sean was pretty tall; he's much shorter now. How much shorter are you?"
"I can't really remember," Wartortle answered, still puzzled. "I know I was taller than I am now, but…"
"Oh! Oh! Oh!" She bounced in the air, growing more excited. "Do you know who brought you to our world? Because you were called to this timeline, right?"
"No time travel for me," Wartortle confirmed. "I, uh… don't know the specifics of it. I know that Gardevoir played some part, but she doesn't exactly remember much of anything."
"Cool, maybe Giratina summoned more thaaannn," Saniya trailed off as Striker and Guardian turned to look at her. She giggled and waved them away. "So then, uh, is your name Gabriel?"
She leaned in, suddenly very eager.
"N-no?"
"DAMMIT!" Saniya yelled and immediately pulled a mirror from… somewhere. "Giratina, you complete… oh."
Her fury completely faded, and she sighed. Striker quietly took the mirror off her and gave her a pat on the back.
"My apologies," Saniya said. "I'm definitely making you a bit uncomfortable. If you'd like to leave, that's fine."
She fluttered back, bumping into Guardian. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly.
"Of course."
"Okay!" Chikorita declared, she had been talking with Striker for long enough. "That settles it. The three of you are joining us at Spinda's Café once it's open!"
"Huh?" Saniya asked.
"You…?" Guardian began but quietened himself.
Chikorita nodded, and Striker was smiling. "Once that work is done for the day, we've GOT to keep talking." She grabbed Charizard and Wartortle in her vines. "You're going to LOVE the stories."
"If you say so?" Wartortle said but was smiling. Charizard was still rather bashful around new people, so he said nothing.
"You actually want to talk to us?" Saniya asked, before beaming. "YES! I knew our natural charisma was too much. Or was it Striker's dreamy voice, it was wasn't it?"
"That may have played a role," Chikorita giggled. "But seriously. I think it could be fun to swap some stories. So, tonight, once you're done. You're doing something for Spinda, right?" They nodded. "Sweet. We'll be here."
"It's a date!" Saniya yelled. "It'll be even better than the one these two went on."
Striker and Guardian immediately shouted. "THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN."
Saniya winked, and Chikorita grinned back, waving as the two world-saving teams parted ways.
Happy again, Saniya did circles around the embarrassed pair until Spinda came wobbling up to them to tell them of what needed to be moved.
The day was good.
Scout met Dialga's eyes.
"You can see me," he said again.
"I can hear you as well," Dialga replied.
If Scout had lungs to exhale with, he would have breathed a hard breath out. "Why weren't you reacting? Call them back. Please, I just want to talk to them somehow."
"No."
"Can Celebi hear me?"
"No. Her powers are sapped from the damage to time and then halved further. She shares her pool of Power with the Celebi of this time, weakening them both. She is scarcely stronger than a normal pokémon now. At best, you would be an itch on the back of her neck."
Scout grit his jaw, or at least he felt like he should be. "What am I?" he asked.
He had persisted last night, as Rai and Mane and everyone went to sleep. He almost felt himself fading again, as close to feeling as he could feel anything. Despite the hours of nothing, it barely seemed like a minute before they were awake, and his senses returned to him.
He had followed them outside, to Lapras, and then across the sea. It was odd, Lapras' journey hadn't taken more than a few hours. He was sure it was a new day in the game, or perhaps Brine Cave was ended at dusk.
Whatever was going on, no one could hear him. No one could see him. But now, Dialga stood before him, smaller, angrier. He had tried to get its attention but had been forced to listen as it told his friends the harsh truth.
Their defiance to bring him back touched him in a distant way, but part of him understood Dialga's side of things. What was it risking to bring Sean back? How fair was it to demand more?
Still, Scout wanted explanations, and he could feel himself getting drawn back. As Rai and Mane and Sean left, he could feel that soon he'd be tugged along with them. How far could he move away from them?
"What am I?" Scout repeated, hastier. It was getting harder to remain where he was.
"You are a memory," Dialga answered. "You're not a being; you are not a spirit; both of those things do not exist anymore. What you are is closer to a living memory. You remember who you are, your spirit could still be pulled back from the abyss, but you in truth are a byproduct of Riolu's revival that will disappear in time."
"Again?" Scout asked.
"Essentially. But… that shinx. He will not forget. And that is a mistake. The longer he clings to your memory, the longer he refuses to give up, the longer you will persist, the longer this falsity will continue, and the longer the two of you will suffer."
Dialga shook its head. "I did not offer to remove such memory of you out of malice or frustration but mercy. For as long as you are remembered, none of your loved ones will know peace. You will all remain in this perpetual of nothingness until he lets go."
"What if they do find Arceus?" Scout asked. He wondered if he should feel angry or upset at Dialga's words, but the emotion was hard.
"It will not. Nothing the Original One does is without consequence. To have revived the first three invites chaos, but a calculated decision, I at least hope. You will not be given the same reward. It isn't fair, and I am sorry. You deserve life, and you deserve happiness, you deserve a reward for what you have done. But I will not help you. Arceus will not help you. No one will. And the sooner you disappear, the better it will be for your loved ones."
With nothing else to say, and Scout being physically dragged back now, Dialga began flying to Temporal Tower. It didn't need the Rainbow Stoneship.
Scout soon floated back to his companions, those that didn't know where he was. He didn't know what to think now.
But, as they returned to Lapras and found that Lapras required a night of rest again, he wondered and thought.
And as everyone slept, he wondered if he heard something in the trees.
Arc 2 begins.
I'm really excited for what I've got planned! Hope you all enjoy ^^
I was reading TV Tropes the other day. They inspired a few cute ideas.
So, it's been a while since I've given a story recommendation, and one occurred to me recently. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Canon Breakage by ShmockeyDaBear. It's one of the biggest inspirations I had for this story, being that it is a PMD Sky SI story. I started Warped Skies not long after reading it. So check it out! It's quite different from this story, for me it only inspired the premise of writing a Pokémon Mystery Dungeon SI.