Dante stood up from his haystack. He walked to the open maw of Sharpedo Bluff, a complicated look in his eyes as he stared out toward the distant horizon. The sun hadn't even begun to rise; still far too early from their usual wake-up time.
However, even when he forcibly closed his eyes, he was unable to return to sleep. What he might learn today could change their team's course of action entirely.
If Grovyle failed, that would mean this world doesn't run according to the plot of the game. At that time, it would be up to them to steal the Time Gear from the hands of the Lake Trio and save the world.
But if Grovyle succeeded, that would mean he won against such a powerful being as Uxie; something similar to what happened in the game. In that case, what would it mean for himself?
All this time, he had been avoiding thinking about the circumstances of how he came to this world. Was he from the future, same as the supposed player? Or did his system directly bring him here transformed into a Pokemon?
Him having no memory loss and no Dimensional Scream strongly suggested that it was the latter…but what if?
If he came from the future…should he really stop Dialga's rampage? After all, repairing the Temporal Tower would mean risking having himself erased from the world entirely. But if he didn't, can he live with himself? Knowing he let countless Pokemon around the world suffer and die when he could have stopped it?
Or should he just remain in the human world? But then what about his promise to Pikachu to become the best Exploration Team? Azumarill and Sunflora's budding love? Mawile and Riolu's family? Should he force them to choose where to stay?
"Ugh!"
Dante groaned. He stared at the turbulent waves below, his mind whirling with decisions. He only walked out from his spiraling thoughts when the first ray of sunlight hit his face. Taking a deep breath to suppress his emotions, he shouted.
"Get up, everyone! It's Exploration Time!"
Under Dante's urging, the rest of the team woke up and quickly prepared themselves for the day. After passing through Kecleon's store and the Chansey's Daycare, they soon arrived at Wigglytuff Guild.
At this time, the Guild hasn't opened yet. There were other Exploration Teams who hung around outside, same as them.
"I'll go ask around for the news this time. Azumarill, Ursaring, you come with me. Pikachu, lead Mawile and Riolu in choosing tasks."
"Aye aye, captain!"
Pikachu saluted exaggeratedly. The rest of the team acquiesced to the arrangement, with even Mawile not making much of a fuss.
As soon as the Guild doors opened, Dante wasted no time. He led Azumarill and Ursaring towards the third floor and headed straight towards Chatot.
"Ah, Dante! I was just about to look for you!"
Before Dante could open his mouth, Chatot beat him to it, a look of pleasant surprise on the colorful bird's face.
"Hey, Chatot. What's the matter?"
Dante asked, though he had a feeling this matter was related to what he'd been worried about.
"Ehem. News came from the Exploration Federation. Time in Fogbound Forest…has stopped."
"What?!"
Azumarill and Ursaring exclaimed, a look of surprise on the two Pokemon's faces.
Meanwhile, Dante let out a sigh, disappointment and relief washing over him. Time stopping in Fogbound Forest is basically a confirmation that Grovyle had succeeded in getting the Time Gear guarded by Uxie…just as according to the game.
"We are currently uncertain about what has happened; only that Uxie seems to have fought against someone the day before. Presumably, that is the Pokemon who stole the Time Gear. And right now, the biggest suspect is Grovyle."
"What about Uxie? What happened to him?"
"We are also unsure about that. However, investigation suggests he made it out of the lake before time had fully stopped."
"I see…"
Dante pondered. Is Uxie still chasing after Grovyle? Or had he gone to warn the other two Lake Guardians?
"Ehem. Anyways, due to this recent event, the Exploration Federation has sent an urgent bounty for Grovyle. So? Do you want to accept this task?"
Chatot handed out a task poster which contained the sketch of Grovyle. His marked location was unknown, and only his crime of stealing Time Gears was presented in the description.
At the task difficulty, 7 stars were very prominently placed. And conversely, the rewards of 100,000 Poke as well as a request to the Exploration Federation equally grabbed their attention.
"…when's the time limit for this task?"
To be honest, Dante wasn't really attracted by that monetary award. And even the opportunity to ask questions only slightly interests him.
The reason he contemplated accepting this task is just to track down Grovyle more efficiently. If he can meet with him, Dante would be able to fully verify his identity in this world.
"There is none. In fact, all the Guild apprentices have been given the same task. I also plan to distribute it to other qualified Explorers later. The reason we distribute this task is to just ensure most can keep an eye out in case they encounter that criminal in their exploration. After all, his actions must be stopped before it's too late."
"I understand, then we'll accept it too."
Dante took the scroll and placed it inside his Bag. With this, he had gotten what he came here for.
The trio bade farewell to Chatot, after which, Azumarill split up to see Sunflora. Meanwhile, Dante and Ursaring checked the list of Exclusive Items from Croagunk's Swap shop.
At the shop, they were lucky and obtained an Azuma-Dew, one of Azumarill's Exclusive Items. They chatted with Croagunk while waiting for Azumarill to return. After which, the three went to the second floor, towards Pikachu and the others who were waiting with the chosen task in hand.
"Dan! How is it?"
Pikachu hurriedly asked.
"I'll tell you guys on the way. What task did you pick for us?"
"Just an item retrieval from Beach Cave…"
Their team exited the Guild. When Dante confirmed they were out of earshot from the other Exploration Teams, he began to tell the information he got from Chatot.
"So, Grovyle succeeded? Nice!"
Pikachu pumped his fist. Dante had already told them about Dialga's rampage and how they needed the Time Gears to repair his time tower. And Grovyle, who was collecting the Time Gears, is their ally.
"But what should we do about the bounty? Do we just ignore it?"
"Of course not. Since Grovyle is collecting Time Gears, that means he'll look for the remaining two Lake Guardians."
"You're right! Then, we can follow him to get more treasures!"
Pikachu's eyes shone. Similarly, Mawile and Riolu became excited. They had been jealous when they learned the story about Uxie and the gifts he received from them.
Although Azumarill and Pikachu were not stingy with teaching them how to use Agility and Power-up Punch, their progress was not as fast as the two who had the knowledge instilled in them.
"Don't get your hopes up. Mesprit and Azelf are not the same as Uxie, maybe they don't have the same trials he did."
Even though he said so, Dante himself began to imagine. If those two Legendaries really set up a trial, what would the reward be?
Azelf is the Pokemon in charge of Willpower, said to have given Pokemon and humans the determination to do things. Meanwhile, Mesprit is in charge of Emotions, giving humans and Pokemon the ability to feel.
Uxie gave each of them a chance to learn the knowledge on any subject. But how would that work for the other two Lake Guardians? Allow them to gain the courage to do anything? Let them feel anything they want?
Dante shook his head, deciding to stop thinking about this for now. It took Grovyle about 2 months from when he got the first Time Gear to getting the second one. Clearly, although he had the ability to bypass a Pokemon of Uxie's level, it's not something that can be done on a whim.
—
"Cough!"
Grovyle had his back against a large sturdy rock, the sands around him swirling into frenzy.
"Jeez, I told you, you need to rest for a while."
While he was waiting for the sandstorm to pass, a pink light shimmered in front of him. From there, a pink pixie-like Pokemon with a large curved head like an onion bulb appeared.
The Pokemon's tiny wings constantly flapped, her body remaining still in the air as she stared at Grovyle with a disapproving frown.
"What are you doing here, Celebi?"
Grovyle frowned and asked back, ignoring her earlier words.
"Of course I'm worried about you, dummy! You used way too much Time Power!"
Celebi shouted. She looked at Grovyle's body and her eyes moistened when she saw the leaves on his body starting to turn brown.
"It doesn't matter, I was ready to die when I undertook this mission. A few years of my life for a Time Gear? It's an easy decision to make."
"...yes, but at least rest. You won't be able to get the remaining Time Gears like this."
Celebi's voice softened. She conjured glowing droplets of water that washed over Grovyle, healing his injuries and fatigue. However, his partially yellow leaves still remained.
"...don't waste your remaining power on me. "
"Heehee, it's fine."
Celebi giggled and floated beside the green, lizard-like Pokemon, their shoulders brushing against one another.
"Grovyle, in the new future, do you think we will meet each other again?"
"Hmph, what a stupid question."
"Ehh?!"
Celebi pouted. She drummed her tiny fist on his shoulders in protest.
"At this time, you should say 'Of course, dear Celebi. No matter the timeline, we'll always be together!' or something like tha- ah! It seems he finally found my traces."
Celebi shook her head in disappointment. She floated away from the rock, giving Grovyle a mischievous wave before she disappeared in a pink shimmer; disappearing as quickly as she appeared.
Grovyle's gaze lingered for a few minutes. Only when the sandstorm ended did he finally turn his head away.
"Idiot...in the new future, my birth is impossible to happen."
He pushed away from the rock, his voice being carried by the wind to nowhere as he continued to walk deeper into the desert.