Team Bright Star~Ch24~When Paths Cross

Part 3: Daku Keimusho
When Paths Cross

     Riley was drifting in the ocean, eyes shut. He had gone swimming only a few times before in the ocean, but he recognized the feeling of bobbing up and down with the waves. The current was pulling him farther into the sea, making it more like a river, but he didn’t mind. Every part of his body hurt, from his ears to his tail, and any movement caused his head to spin. So he let the current slowly pull him in, farther from the shore.

     “You’re...leaving?” A child’s voice asked. They were curious, but in a way, disappointed. He couldn’t speak, so all he did was nod. And even that movement caused his body to groan in pain. “Why? That’s mean.”

     What are you talking about? Riley thought. What’s mean?

     “You’ll make her cry.”

     Her? But even as he thought it, a face appeared in his mind. Anna’s. Wait. What do you mean?

     “Look around you.” Riley forced his eyes open.

     What he had thought was the ocean was actually a sea of swirling white liquid, which was carrying him towards a place where the water dropped out of sight. Is that a waterfall?! His thoughts spun in a panic.

     “It’s death.” The child sounded close to crying. “Please, don’t give up. There are Pokémon who love you. Don’t give up!!” They called, but their voice was getting farther and farther away. Riley tried lifting an arm, but the liquid kept trying to pull him down, like strings attached to his limbs.

     ‘Give up.’ It seemed to whisper seductively in his ear. ‘It’s such a pain...to live. You don’t have to suffer.’

     No...I can’t...I need to...go back. But the water kept rushing, growing faster and more powerful.

     ‘You don’t need to suffer. You don’t have to continue down the road that leads only to pain.’ The voice blurred with the roaring water that was cresting around him. ‘You don’t need to suffer...’ Riley squeezed his eyes shut, trying to stay afloat. ‘...don’t need to suffer...don’t need to suffer...’

     ‘Riley...’ A voice whispered on the wind, over the roar of the water. Anna? His eyes snapped open.

     ‘Please...don’t die.’ Her voice was so sad and broken, it made his heart break.

     ‘Don’t leave me.’ He blinked, shocked at her words.

     ‘I’m sorry. I’m so sorry...Please, come back...’ He blinked again, then gritted his teeth, and, ignoring the pain, lifted one arm, then the other, trying to paddle away from the waterfall.

     ‘No. Stay. It’s too much trouble to turn back. Stay.’

     “Ca...Can’t.” He squeezed his eyes shut, forcing every ounce of energy into getting away. A wave rose over him, forcing him under the liquid. Images filled his head; a boy frozen in ice, a leering Wevile, the inside of cold and dark mountain, a group of Pokémon that were laughing at him, a bloody paw pressed against his side, with blood spreading over his fur, the cold floor rushing to meet him as his strength faded.

     ‘Don’t you see?! Life is full of pain! There’s nothing good in it!’ The voice was screaming in his ears.

     Wr...Wrong... Riley choked, unable to breath. It was almost impossible, but he forced himself to remember other things. The laughter of a long-lost friend. Surprise at finding a world of sanctuary. His friends at the guild. And Anna. His best friend and...the Pokémon he cared most about.

     “Hold on!!” A voice cried, and Riley felt himself be ripped from the water with a tremendous amount of force. He landed on something hard and his body screamed in agony. Coughing violently, with spots splattered across his vision, Riley looked around, but saw no one.

     Who...are you...

     “...you won’t die...” It was the voice of the child. “I’ll help you get back to where you need to go. You don’t belong here...” Riley’s head flopped against what he was laying on, and he passed out.

~*~*~*~

     Tiempo’s feet were pounding against the dirt. His body was screaming, and his chest was burning. He had been running for a long time, but he didn’t want to get caught. Not now. Not ever.

     He was swearing curses against Dusknoir, Sableye, and every other Pokémon he hated. He had gathered five Times Gears, almost all without any kind of trouble. Then, the last one-he couldn’t get!! It was the last one he needed!

     After all I’ve been through, why now?! Don’t fail now!!

     His legs started to give out on him, but Tiempo forced them to keep moving over the peak of Mount Bristle. He thought about Dusknoir, and his hatred of the Ghost-type kept him moving forward. Dawn was coming, and that meant it would be easier to get caught. He had to find cover.

     He tripped, rolling down an especially steep and rocky hill, the sharp stones created new punctures, but forced himself to rise and keep going. Dusknoir might be right behind him, and Tiempo had no strength to fight him off. He could only run.

~*~*~*~

     Tiempo reached the forest orchards of Oran Forest and Apple Woods when the sun was high in the sky. The crisp air boosted his nearly depleted energy, helping him dash to the right and become immersed in the blue-speckled trees of Oran Forest. He rushed through four floors, meeting no one. Finally, he slowed, allowing himself to be able to catch his breath. But it wasn’t safe to remain in the open, so he gathered the last of his strength and scrambled up a tree, settling on a branch that would camouflage him from anyone below. He could only hope that a Flying-type Pokémon wouldn’t decide to roost in the tree. His head lolled against the trunk, and Tiempo fell into a dreamless sleep.

~*~*~*~

     Tiempo flinched as his open flesh rubbed against the bark of the tree he was perched in. His burns were still raw, even after almost a whole day of sleeping and six hours of resting and applying medicine to his injuries. He was almost out of Rawst Berries, and while there were plenty of Oran Berries, he knew deep inside that he deserved every single burn.

     Espero. I’m...sorry. I’m so sorry. I...You knew. When we first met...you knew what I had done, even before “I” did. Everything I’ve done to you...in the past and future...no wonder you acted like you did. I’m so sorry. I lost control...and I could’ve killed you and your partner...again. He shut his eyes. I guess I haven’t broken completely free of Dusknoir, if I acted like that. Like the killer...I was trained to be.

     I need to rest, so I can recover and go back to Crystal Crossing...even though Dusknoir knows I need to go there. Or maybe I should just wait until this dies down somewhat...but who knows when that’ll happen. Tiempo groaned, and looked past the branches toward the setting sun. He had chosen a perch that faced the west, and he could see the sunset. It was tinted with small amounts of pink and orange, and the view reminded him why he had to keep fighting.

     Esperanza... Tiempo reached down, and clutched the Sableye stone that hung around his neck. There had been a time when he had been repulsed to touch it, much less wear it, but that was in the past, as some might say...or more honestly, the future. I can’t believe you’ve been captured...I know you’re out there. Give me a sign. Anything. Please. There was nothing, so Tiempo sighed softly and returned to watching the sunset.

~*~*~*~

     Tiempo reached into his knapsack and pulled out his last Rawst Berry, then plucked an Oran Berry from the tree he was perched it, eating them both. “Ugh...” He moaned, slowly leaning back as the burns continued to heal. But it wasn’t fast; they had been pretty severe. Still were. He shut his eyes, and listened to the wind whisper through the leaves around him. Being a Grass-type, he could appreciate the sounds and the smells of the forest around him. Just another reason to keep fighting to-

     “Hey! Wait up Justin!” A female voice called through the forest. Tiempo opened his eyes, and saw an Eevee standing in the clearing his tree bordered on. He wore a black scarf, and had red color-traits on his tail and in his eyes. From the other edge of the clearing came a Treecko, Aron, and two Duskull, one of whom had a purple eye.

     Hm. Tiempo watched at the group joined the Eevee, Justin. Two color-traited Pokémon. Interesting... The Treecko looked over her shoulder.

     “Come on!” She called, motioning. Tiempo glanced over to where she was looking and nearly fell out of the tree. Coming out of the forest was a Vulpix with blue eyes, a scarf, and a star earring. Espero!!! The color-traited Vulpix dully made her way to where the other Pokémon were. She looked dead on her paws, with her ears laid back and eyes cast downward. Tiempo could only stare. She had bandages wrapped around her midsection, and a splint secured to her back left leg, but what was most noticeable was the scar that ran over her right eye. It looked fresh.

     I did all that. Tiempo blanched, horrified at himself, feeling nausea rolling up in him for the first time in a long while.

     “Let’s rest here.” The Aron said, settling in the grass. “We’ve almost cleared the dungeon.” He spoke with a heavy accent that Tiempo knew he’d heard before.

     “Okay!” The Treecko nodded enthusiastically. The group settled in the shade of the tree Tiempo was in. He groaned internally, cursing his bad luck, then let out a low growl when his burns rubbed against the tree trunk. Justin’s eyes shifted upward, then after a moment, he shook his head.

     “Look at what Aron got me,” Treecko was saying, showing the purple-traited Duskull and Espero a pink scarf that was wrapped around her neck, “it’s a Pecha Scarf.”

     “It’s nothin’,” Aron turned as pink as the Pecha Scarf, “Tree’ wanted it, so I got it for her.”

     “It’s pretty.” The purple-traited Duskull touched the scarf. “Maybe if we find a scarf like this on an exploration, I can keep it.”

     “Perhaps we’ll find one in the market.” The male Duskull suggested, watching his female counterpart.

     “But finding one in a dungeon is more exciting.” The color-traited Duskull argued.

     “Yep! Dusk is right!” Treecko nodded in agreement. Dusk? Tiempo leaned forward, trying to place the name.

     “But more dangerous.” Aron argued. “Tree’, ‘member that time we got knocked out at Landslide Cave?”

     “Can’t argue with that.” Duskull agreed.

     “But...but the danger is part of the excitement!” Justin claimed stubbornly. “As explorers, we need to accept the danger to achieve our goals! It’s the only way to find treasure, or discover new places!!” All seven Pokémon were silent, Tiempo included. He will be...a great warrior one day. Tiempo watched the fire in the Eevee’s red eyes. Or a leader...wait a second...

     “I...I guess you’re right.” Aron nodded solemnly. The group began to talk about something else, but Tiempo didn’t concentrate on the words. His head was spinning, like he was trying to connect the dots of some unknown puzzle. He looked down at the group of explorers, focusing first on the two Duskull, then the Aron and Treecko, and finally Espero and Justin. Two Duskull...one color-traited...Dusk...a Treecko with a Pecha Scarf...Espero...a color-traited Riolu and Eevee...an Aron...with an accent......!!!!! His jaw dropped. Impossible! That’s impossible!! He stared down at the group, unable to believe what he was seeing. The group of Pokémon were at ease in each other’s presence, not worried about the future or any type of danger. Treecko laughed at something Duskull said, and Justin was talking animatedly to Dusk, the color-traited Duskull. Aron grinned at Treecko, then said something to Duskull, who bobbed up and down in an agreeing sort-of way. How...what...what made them...turn...how... Tiempo was utterly lost for words. They look like...they’re friends...what made them...drift apart to the point where...they were on opposites sides of the battle...and to the point where at least three, no, five of them...ended up dead?

     “Okay, I have a question.” Treecko raised her paw. “I keep on wondering where Riley is.” Espero looked even more depressed, if that was possible, Justin fell silent, and the two Duskull shared a look. “What?” Treecko and Aron looked at each other, then at the other Pokémon in the group.

     “Have you not heard?” Dusk asked softly. “It’s all over Treasure Town. When she and Riley went to Crystal Cave, they stopped Tiempo from stealing the Time Gear, but...Tiempo...he...” She couldn’t go on.

     “HE KILLED RILEY?!” Aron growled, and Tiempo froze, horrified. I...killed him? No! That’s impossible! In the future, he was alive! Before-Before...

     “Almost.” Justin whispered. “We...don’t know if he’s going to make it. Chimecho’s trying her best, but......”

     “Arceus.” Treecko was covering her mouth, eyes wide. “Oh Arceus...why...?”

     “That’s why we’re here.” Justin looked at Espero. “Riley’s been in a coma for three days, and she’s been at his side. Chimecho told her she needed fresh air.”

     “...” Tiempo heard Espero give a low sigh, then she spoke in a soft voice. “I can’t believe it.” The Treecko said something inaudible and leaned closer to Espero.

     “What was that?” Dusk asked softly.

     “I...I can’t believe Tiem...po. What he’s doing.” Espero’s eyes were watering. “Why steal Time Gears? What is there to gain from that? Peop-Pokémon suffer, and...and how can anyone be so cold-hearted to do that?!”

     That’s right. Tiempo thought grimly. No one remembers. No one knows...the truth.

     “I...When I went to Treeshroud Forest...I couldn’t believe it had been done on purpose...I told myself it had to be an accident. And then, when I saw Tiempo’s picture, I thought, ‘he has such sad eyes. He’s gone through so much pain. Why would someone like that do something like this? Why can’t they feel the pain of what they’re doing?’” Espero choked back a sob. “But I didn’t know...Tiempo...has no heart to feel emotions. That’s why...that’s why...” Tears were rolling down her cheeks. “That’s why he almost killed us!”

     “Shhh...” Treecko pulled Espero into a hug, wrapping her arms around the Vulpix’s neck. “It’ll be okay. It’ll be okay.” Espero shut her blue eyes, crying softly.

     “I can’t stand this...” She croaked. “...I can’t...I...can’t...I-I don’t want Riley to...d...die...”

     “Hush...” Treecko whispered softly, rocking Espero back and forth, like a child. “It’s okay...It’s okay...We’re here for you...” The Vulpix cried into the Wood Gecko’s shoulder for a few minutes, until her sobs died down.

     “Riley will live.” Duskull said firmly. “He will live, and the Great Dusknoir will catch Tiempo Grovyle, returning everything to the way it was before.”

     “But how?” Aron asked quietly. “No one knows where that damn Grovyle is. And he has all those Time Gears...we can’t let ‘em get away.”

     “He doesn’t have all of them.” Duskull said proudly. “He didn’t get the Crystal Cave Time Gear. And the lake trio has gone to seal the Time Gear away permanently.”

     WHAT?!! Tiempo almost yelled, but instead, he stuffed his fist in his mouth.

     “Really?!” Treecko managed to grin. “That’s great!!”

     No, it’s NOT!!! Tiempo was yelling in his head.

     “Yes, that way it can never be stolen.” There was a touch of pride in the Dusk’s voice. “It’s wonderful. The Great Dusknoir came up with the plan!”

     AAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGGG!!!! Tiempo wanted to scream in frustration.

     “I believe we’ve rested long enough.” Duskull rose a bit higher. “We should clear the dungeon, so we can return to Treasure Town. It’s getting dark.”

     “Good idea.” Aron stood up, and stretched. “It’s even more dangerous to be out than in the past. With all that’s been going on, there have been more panicked Pokémon around.”

     “We might even encounter Tiempo Grovyle,” Dusk shivered at the thought, “if we are unlucky enough!”

     “He might even be in the trees above us.” Justin grinned nervously, even though his legs were shaking.

     “Oh shut up!!” Treecko shrieked as the group walked away. “That’s not funny! He’s ruining my species’ reputation, even if he is from the future...” The six Pokémon moved deeper into the forest, out of Tiempo’s range of hearing.

     He was sitting shock-still. They’re going to seal the Time Gear away?! No! That...It has to be a trap! A trap! Still, what if it’s the truth? I can’t risk the Time Gear-even if it is a trap!! I’ve come too far to give up now! After a few minutes, he slowly descended the tree, and took off, heading north, back to Crystal Cave.

~*~*~*~

     Anna and Justin returned to the guild as the sun was vanishing beyond the ocean, casting ominous purples into the sky.

     “Pokémon Detected! Pokémon Detected!” Diglett’s voice called from under the grate when Justin stepped forward for them to be let in.

     “WHO’S FOOTPRINT? WHO’S FOOTPRINT?”

     “The footprint is...Eevee’s! Hey Justin, is that you?!”

     “Yes!” Justin looked down into the darkness where he knew Diglett was.

     “Is Anna with you?!” Diglett’s voice wavered slightly at the end. Justin tilted his head, and Anna blinked, focusing at the grate.

     “Yes...why?” There was a murmur of voices below from the main room that both Anna and Justin caught, but neither could distinguish any words.

     “You two need to come down to the third floor immediately! It’s important!!” The grate rose, and the two explorers entered the guild.

     The second floor was void of Pokémon, but all the members of the guild were assembled in the main room, watching the two youngest members of the guild. Anna’s eyes widened when she saw Chimecho in the group. The Wind Chime Pokémon’s face didn’t show any emotions, and no one said anything. It was dead silent. Then Chimecho spoke.

     “Anna...” She said gently. The Vulpix didn’t say anything, she just shook her head.

     “No...”

     “You should come with me.” Chimecho reached out, and placed a paw on Anna’s shoulders, steering her toward the crew rooms. Anna’s eyes were wide, and she didn’t notice anything around her. Like how the members of the guild snapping Justin out of his stupor, bring him along with them behind Chimecho and Anna. Or how Wigglytuff was peeking out from his room.

     The hallway seemed to stretch into forever. Every step took every ounce of energy Anna had to keep moving. Past Chimecho and Sunflora’s room. Past Loudred, Bidoof, and Corphish’s room. And then Anna’s breath caught in her throat.

     Riley was still wrapped in bandages, but he was sitting up in his bed, green eyes open. His blue-and-black fur was stained purple in some spots, and a bruise on his chest was turning deep purple, but a small grin broke across his face when he spotted his teammate.

     “Anna?”

     “...” Anna opened her mouth, but no words came out. She could only stare.

     “Anna?” A worried look passed over Riley’s face as he surveyed his teammate’s face. “Are you okay?” Anna took a step toward Riley, then another.

     ‘Ri...ley?’ She blinked, slowly walking toward him.

     “Yah?” He asked. Anna shuddered, drawing a sharp breath.

     “I...” She squeezed her eyes shut, tears slowly trickling down her face. “...You...” She broke down.

     “Hey, hey! Are you alright?!” Corphish asked somewhere in the distance, but he was ignored. Tears were flowing from Anna’s eyes, and she was sobbing. Riley reached out, and pulled her into an embrace. She cried into his shoulder, but not because she was sad.

     “It’s okay...” Riley said gently, “it’s okay...”

     “You idiotic Riolu.” She said in a muffled voice. “Don’t ever do something like that again.” He managed to smile.

     “Okay. I promise.” He gently kissed her forehead.

~*~*~*~

     Tiempo reached the entrance to Crystal Cave around midnight, the same time he’d arrived four days ago. The forest behind him was deadly silent, and the prickling on his neck told him he was being watched. By someone. Or someones. But no one came out to challenge him.

     He could also feel that something else was wrong. He couldn’t put a paw on it, but it was making his skin crawl. His mind also felt like it was being tugged toward the west, like Esperanza had left him something. But there was nothing.

     My supplies are running low, and I’m injured. I need to be extremely careful. Tiempo took a step toward the entrance.

     ‘Tiempo Grovyle. What the hell are you doing?’ Tiempo could almost hear Esperanza’s voice, and he looked around. But no one was around, and he couldn’t feel her presence. Whatever it was had come and gone.

     “I need to go get the Time Gear.” He muttered, then realized he’d spoken to himself. Great. Am I finally losing my sanity? Maybe...it’s a sign I really shouldn’t be here. No. I need to go in, get the Time Gear, and run like hell. Then I can start worrying about Esperanza. After debating for a few minutes, Tiempo decided to keep going.

     Later, he would say it was a HUGE mistake.