Skyler's Background
Skyler grew up as a human in a dark world where time had stopped. As such, there were no days or seasons, and only living creatures were unaffected...though the permanent darkness result in most of them being bitter and twisted. Some of them could no longer speak. Water didn't flow and nearly all plant life had already withered and died. Not much is known about this aspect of his life. His best friend was a Grovyle who was fairly impatient, but still a well-meaning person. At some point they began working together, trying to find out what had caused the destruction of time.
Through extensive research, the two of them were able to learn about the collapse of Temporal Tower, the structure that embodied time. This had caused the destruction of time, as well as Dialga's transformation into Primal Dialga. They also learned of the Time Gears that, had they been inserted into the tower before its collapse, could have prevented all of the above from happening. Needless to say, they made it their mission in life to find a way to fix their future. They used Skyler's Dimensional Scream, to learn the locations of all of the Time Gears, and then received help from Celebi, the time travel Pokemon. She sent them to the past, through the Passage of Time, to attempt to change history for the better...even though they all knew that doing so would erase them and their entire time period from existence if they succeeded.
While traveling through the Passage of Time, Skyler and Grovyle were attacked by an unseen enemy. Skyler must have sensed it coming, because he purposely shielded Grovyle from the attack, taking the brunt of it himself. The damage was nearly enough to kill him, but his strong will was somehow affected by the many dimensions. The two were separated and Skyler somehow became a Pokemon.
Skyler was found washed up on the beach by a somewhat timid Pokemon the next sunset, who roused him to make sure he was alright. He knew his name and that he was supposed to be human, but not how he ended up washed up on the beach, where he came from, who he was, or why he was a Pokemon. Obviously that meant he had also completely forgotten about Grovyle,their mission, and pretty much everything else. Despite the strangeness of the situation, the other Pokemon, a Squirtle who called himself Kei, decided to believe Skyler after he insisted he was telling the truth.
There was no time to really think on this dilemma however, as a Zubat and Koffing appeared and stole Kei’s personal treasure. Desperate to get it back, he asked Skyler to help, certain that was the only way to succeed in getting it back. Despite a few misgivings, namely the issue of being a human in a Chimchar's body, Skyler agreed. The pair pursued, confronted, and defeated the two bullies in Beach Cave to get it back.
Back outside, Kei thanked Skyler for his help and revealed the treasure, called the Relic Fragment, to be an odd stone with a strange inscription. He also told him of a dream to be a great explorer and one day discover where the Relic Fragment fit. Kei then asked Skyler if he had anywhere to go from there and, if not, would he form an exploration team with him. Kei, having been impressed by how he handled himself, was convinced that they’d be a great combination. With nowhere else to go, Skyler accepted the offer, thinking that maybe by hanging out with his new friend he might someday find out who he was.
Kei took him to the Wigglytuff Guild where he somewhat stumped the diglett who served as sentry...apparently Chimchar weren't a common sight in the area. Once inside, they were almost made to leave by Chatot, who thought they were selling magazines or doing surveys because they were so young. After finding out they wanted to join the guild as apprentices, he took them to meet the guildmaster, Wigglytuff. They joined the guild as apprentice explorers, naming the their team Moonfall. They were then shown to their room and left to their own devices for the night.
On the first day, the morning routine was already set...being blasted awake by the "obnoxiously loud" apprentice Loudred, and then joining everyone out in the main area to go through the morning cheers. Skyler learned that, due to a disturbance in the flow of time, there were many issues for Pokemon all over the world. This caused an alarming increase in both number of outlaw Pokemon in the world and the amount of mail asking for help that the guild receives.
As their first mission, Skyler and Kei were sent to the Drenched Bluff to locate a stolen pearl lost by a Spoink. When they returned with it, the grateful Pokemon gave them several energy drinks and 2000 pokedollars in gratitude before leaving…at which point Chatot stepped in and claimed ninety percent of the money for guild dues, leaving Team Moonfall with only the remaining 200 pokedollars.
The next day went much the same at the start, with the continuation of their training, this time with the outlaw notice board. They were assigned to pick a weak outlaw to capture for a bounty, but Kei was afraid of any and all dangerous Pokemon and so found a task like this difficult. Chatot assigned Bidoof to show them around and help them pick an outlaw they were strong enough to catch to make things easier on them. Bidoof took them on a tour of the guild before leading them down to Treasure Town. He left them there to shop, because Kei was able to teach Skyler about the town and shops. So he went back to the guild to wait by the outlaw notice board.
While checking out the Kecleon Market, Skyler and Kei met Marill and Azurill, a pair of young brothers doing the shopping for their sick mother. Something strange happened when Azurill tripped and dropped an apple though. Skyler picked it up and gave it back to him. But when he touched Azurill, Skyler was struck by a dizzy spell and heard Azurill cry for help...even though Azurill apparently hadn’t said anything. No one else had heard it either. While Skyler was positive he hadn't imagined it, he couldn't make sense of the situation and Bidoof was waiting to help them back at the guild.
Just moments later, on their way back to the guild, Skyler and Kei witnessed the same brothers accepting help from a Drowzee in finding an item they had lost some time ago. As the three of them left, Drowzee bumped into Skyler, which triggered another dizzy spell. Skyler had a vision of Drowzee threatening Azurill in a mountainous area. When he brought this up to Kei, the Squirtle was pretty concerned but expressed doubts because Drowzee had seemed like a genuinely nice Pokemon…which Skyler had to agree with. Besides that, they were only apprentices so they couldn’t just do as they pleased.
When the pair returned to the guild a short time later, the outlaw notice board was updated before Bidoof could help them pick. Kei spotted a wanted poster of Drowzee on the upper left and, realizing Azurill was indeed in danger, they rushed from the guild to save him. They found Marill returning to town alone and worried because Drowzee and Azurill had gone off somewhere without him. Making their way quickly to Mt. Bristle, where the three had been separated. They confronted Drowzee at the peak and almost took him in without a fight...but Kei suffered a bout of nervousness that gave away their rookie status. Still, they defeated the outlaw Pokemon, saving Azurill and returning him to his brother. Their reward was sent to the guild but, like the day before, they only got to keep ten percent. They received an upgraded bag from the Exploration Team Federation though.
That night was stormy and Kei pointed this out, as well as the fact that it had stormed the night before they had met. He asked if Skyler remembered anything, but Skyler didn’t. Kei also speculated that the dream he had of Azurill's plight had something specifically to do with Skyler, because he didn't know any other Chimchar who dreamed of the future or any humans who turned into Pokemon...and also that he was certain Skyler must have been a good person before, despite not knowing what Skyler was originally like before.
Conversation shifted to subject of the Time Gears which were supposed to keep the flow of time going in the regions they were found. His partner figured that whatever was going on had something to do with the Time Gears. Nothing really noteworthy happened over ther next few days; they continued taking jobs from the boards, three odd Pokemon were seen hanging around a rock just south of the guild, and Skyler and Kei filled in for Diglett as sentries for a day.
A few days later, the guild received the disconcerting news that a Time Gear had been stolen from a place called Treeshroud Forest, and as a result time in that area had stopped altogether. While this was alarming to say the least, all they could do was remain alert and continue the guild work. That same day, Skyler and Kei were finally sent on their first official exploration...investigating a waterfall that supposedly had a secret. Before they left however, Chimecho informed them that she was starting an assembly for exploration teams and that they could recruit other Pokemon into their team now.
Leaving the guild, it was discovered that the large rock the three Pokemon had been observing was gone. In its place was a flight of stairs leading underground and a sign saying something about a shop full of hopes and dreams opening soon.
While exploring the area with the waterfall they were supposed to investigate, Skyler touched the deluge and experienced another vision several seconds later: a lone Pokemon leaping through the waterfall and into a hidden cave behind it. Following this vision, he and Kei entered Waterfall Cave and set about exploring it. Far in the back, they discovered a cavern full of gems. There was one very large gem, which they decided to take back. Kei couldn’t pull it out and after trying to pull it out himself, Skyler had a vision of the same lone Pokemon that had leapt through the waterfall being swept away by a flood after pushing the gem…but he was not fast enough to stop Kei from doing the same and they were both washed away to a distant hot spring.
While reporting the results of their investigation to Chatot, Skyler thought back to his last two visions and became convinced that the Pokemon he’d seen was Guildmaster Wigglytuff. He figured that the Guildmaster had been in the cave already and brought this up to Kei and Chatot. Chatot found it hard to believe that the Guildmaster would send them to a place he’d already explored before. But since Skyler was certain, he went to check. It turned out to be true, so unfortunately Team Moonfall got no credit for investigating.
That night, Kei realized a couple of things about Skyler's visions that the Chimchar had failed to noticed: he always had them after touching something related to them, and that this time Skyler had seen the past...which had not occurred to Skyler, even though he'd figured out Wigglytuff had gone to Waterfall Cave before them. Skyler also learned that his partner had put all of his faith in and drew courage from him.
Later that same night, just before they went to sleep, Skyler and Kei were called to see Wigglytuff and were informed that they had a chance to be considered for an upcoming expedition, despite being rookie apprentices. Wigglytuff had decided that they deserved a fair shot because they were working very hard and doing so well on their assignments.
The next day the pair ran into Zubat and Koffing again, who it turned out were also on an exploration team, called Team Skull. After a failed attempt to talk Kei into giving up on exploring, because they believed him to be too timid to cut it, the bullies scoffed at the two rookies, saying that training amounts to nothing without talent. When Kei brought up the fact that they had no real skills either, having already lost to Skyler and Kei before, he was brushed off. The bullies stated that it was only because their chief hadn’t been there to help. Their team leader, Skuntank, appeared a moment later and knocked Skyler out with an awful stench, simply because he was in the way.
When he came to several minutes later Team Skull was gone, having left his partner very disappointed in himself because he hadn’t stood up for Skyler. Skyler took a moment to cheer him up before they started the day's work.
Spinda's Cafe, featuring Spinda's Juice Bar and the Recycle Shop, opened on this day as well.
Not even a few days later, Team Skull moved into the guild under the guise of aiding in the upcoming expedition. They spoke in friendlier more proper voices to fool Wigglytuff and Chatot, but Skyler and Kei were suspicious of their motives and resolved to keep an eye on them. But the next day the food storage had been greatly depleted...wonder who did it? Skyler’s team was sent to Apple Woods to gather Perfect Apples for the Guildmaster, since the entire stock of those had been cleaned out...and apparently something terrible would happen to the Wigglytuff without them.
There they encountered Team Skull, who had eaten most of the Perfect Apples off of the tree while waiting for them. Skuntank pretended to want to help in their assignment…even going as far as to knock down some apples for them, but Skyler and Kei weren’t fooled in the slightest. They decided to battle Team Skull, but Skuntank and Koffing knocked them out with a noxious gas combo. Team Skull took the apples and left, leaving Team Moonfall to walk back empty-handed when they came to.
When Skyler and Kei returned to the guild, Chatot refused to listen to the explanation of their failure, too upset over having to tell Wigglytuff there were no Perfect Apples for him, and deprived them of dinner. They had to stand in the dining room and watch everyone else eat. He also made them go with him to report to Wigglytuff, feeling it wouldn't be fair for him to have to go alone.
The guildmaster didn’t mind their failure, because he didn’t know the apples were all gone. Surprisingly, at the news that there are no Perfect Apples for him, the Guildmaster began to cry. The power of his tantrum caused the whole building to shake with the force of his Hyper Voice attack.
Team Skull entered then and offered him a single Perfect Apple, supposedly as thanks for letting them stay at the guild, effectively making Skyler’s team look entirely incompetent...which was, of course, the a large part of point.
The next day, it was revealed that the expedition party would be chosen within a day or so. Chatot told Skyler and Kei that the Guildmaster likely wouldn’t bother considering them for the exploration after failing such an important errand...leaving them hungry, disappointed, and now unmotivated.
Bidoof, Sunflora, and Chimecho then took them aside and gave them a couple of apples that had been set aside for the two of them as a pick-me-up so they'd be at their best to try for the expedition. They also gave support by pointing out that the party hadn't been picked yet, and they all want to go with the two of them on the expedition. After this, Croagunk called them over to announce that his Swap Shop was open again finally.
The next several days were business as usual, with Team Moonfall doing jobs or sentry duty as assigned by Chatot. During this time, Spinda also announced a project that would lead to more exploration areas and bigger profit for the exploration teams through the Recycle Shop. Chatot announced at dinner one night that the final decision had been made and the expedition party would be revealed at the next morning's briefing.
Skyler knew that Kei would be crushed if he wasn't picked for the expedition and hoped that he would be. He figured that if they both were, his special ability could come in handy. He also noted that he hadn't had any visions lately.
The day came when the candidates were named and, surprisingly, Wigglytuff had decided to include the entire guild in the expedition...because they would all be excited and noisy and having fun! So everyone was going, despite the misgivings voiced by both Chatot and Skuntank. Team Moonfall recieved another Treasure Bag upgrade from the Exploration Team Federation, got supplies ready, and returned to the guild for the briefing on the expedition.
The purpose of this expedition was to discover if Fogbound Lake really existed. It was decided that that group would split into smaller groups and travel to a point that would serve as a base camp, located just outside of Foggy Forest. Skyler and Kei were assigned to head for the camp with Bidoof. They took a route that passed through the Craggy Coast and Mt. Horn, being the last group to arrive late in the day, the day after leaving the guild.
As soon as they arrived however, Skyler had the very distinct feeling that he knew the forest they had arrived in. He didn't bring this up with Kei though, mostly because they had to attend the strategy briefing. During the meeting, Chimecho shared a legend she had heard on the way to base camp. Supposedly, Fogbound Lake was guarded by a Pokemon called Uxie, who would wipe the memories of others clean to protect the lake. Naturally this plus the feeling of familiarity with the area got Skyler thinking that this couldn't be a coincidence.
The guild, plus Team Skull, split up to find Fogbound Lake or a way to lift the fog around Foggy Forest. Skyler kept his thoughts to himself for the time being and set off to explore the forest with Kei. Right outside of base camp, they found an odd red gem that was very warm to the touch. Thinking it could be rare, Kei kept it and they entered the forest.
Deep inside, they caught up with Corphish in an area where there were many waterfalls around them. Corphish hadn't found anything yet...except for the statue of a Pokemon that none of them could identify. Kei noticed a message left in footprint runes at the statue's base that gave a clue to reach treasure, but couldn't figure the clue out and suggested that Skyler touch the statue to see if any visions triggered that might help.
Upon doing so, Skyler had a dizzy spell and heard a voice. It didn't help at all, but another dizzy spell and the voice happened again. This time Skyler heard that to lift the fog they had to place the Drought Stone in the statue's chest. Even though he hadn't been able to get a sense of what the voice sounded like, it stuck in his mind and he wondered who it had been.
The Drought Stone turned out to be the gem Kei had picked up, and they placed it in the hollow engraved in the statue's chest. The fog lifted, revealing a high plateau that all the waterfalls were pouring from and Kei realized that must be where the lake is.
Corphish left them to go on ahead while he went to get everyone, but they were blocked by Team Skull who planned to knock them out and steal the treasure. Just then a Perfect Apple rolled up, followed a moment by Wigglytuff who was out for a walk and dropped it. Wigglytuff sent Skyler and Kei to continue exploring and stayed behind with Team Skull.
Partway through the trek through the cave that led to the top of the plateau, They heard a sound like roaring. Skyler also realized he hadn't told Kei about his suspicions. When he did, his partner simply said that that was just one more reason they had to reach the top, because he also would like to know if Skyler had met Uxie and had his memory erased and that he wondered what Skyler was like before.
They continued to the top, where they were confronted by Groudon to prevent them from reaching Fogbound Lake. They defeated him, but it was revealed to be just an illusion created by Uxie to try to scare them off. Uxie still didn't intend to let them pass, but Kei convinced him by telling him that they were only there for information and would leave the treasure alone if Uxie didn't want it taken.
Deciding to believe this, Uxie took the to the lake, where they could see a strange mystical-looking item floating below the water's surface. The sight of the item caused Skyler's heart to race for some reason he couldn't figure out. Uxie explained that the item was a Time Gear and it was the treasure he guarded, using the Groudon illusion to scare away trespassers. Anyone who got by it, he would erase their memories.
This reminded Kei to ask Uxie if he'd ever met Skyler there as a human, and, if he had, whether or not he had erased Skyler's memory. The answer was no, no humans had made it to the lake, and Uxie could only remove memories of the lake. So he couldn't have fully erased anyone's memories if he wanted.
Wigglytuff arrived just then, thrilled by the nighttime lake view and glad to meet Uxie and Groudon's illusion, and with no intention of disturbing the Time Gear. The rest of the guild arrived shortly after, just in time to see the lake spout like a fountain, creating a beautiful lit up spout of water. It was decided that the view of Fogbound Lake was a real treasure.
Skyler wasn't quite fully able to enjoy the view, busy wondering how come this place seemed familiar to him if he'd never been there, and why the sight of the Time Gear made him so uneasy.
Uxie decided that the guild members could be trusted and decided not to wipe their memories, asking that they keep the lake a secret instead. This was easily agreed to, and everyone returned to the guild, prepared to say the expedition hadn't incovered anything.
The morning after they returned, the guild was visited by a famous explorer called Dusknoir, who was supposed to be very wise and talented. He was looking to hear about anything the guild members learned about Fogbound Lake, but Wigglytuff lied by saying it was a waste of time and absolutely nothing was found. Dusknoir decided to stay in town for a few days though, and encouraged everyone to come see him if they needed advice.
The next day, Chatot asked Skyler and Kei to go to Kecleon Market and see if they planned to stock Perfect Apples. There they found Dusknoir and engaged him and the Kecleon brothers in a short conversation. Marill and Aurill rushed by, having heard that their lost item was spotted on the beach. Kei and Skyler reported back to Chatot that the Kecleon Market wouldn't be selling Perfect Apples...very much to Chatot's dismay. Kei volunteered Team Moonfall to collect Perfect Apples, but due to their previous failure Chatot wouldn't hear it.
That night at dinner, Chatot revealed that another Time Gear had been stolen. Thankfully it hadn't been Uxie's but this made it even more important to keep Fogbound Lake secret. After dinner Kei wondered what anyone would want with Time Gears, and Skyler thought back to his reaction to seeing one...but he quickly decided that his unease in the presence of a Time Gear had nothing to do with them being stolen.
The next day, Marill and Azurill came looking for them at the guild. Someone was holding their lost item, the Water Float, hostage deep in the Amp Plains, challenging them to come get it. Angry that anyone could do that to small children, Skyler and Kei promised to get the Water Float for the brothers and set off for Amp Plains. When they found the Water Float however, they were attacked by Luxray and his tribe of Luxio for trespassing. Dusknoir arrived to save them, convincing Luxray that they hadn't come to cause trouble or case harm to the tribe.
It turned out that Team Skull, who had disappeared during the expedition, had stolen the Water Float and left it there, hoping Team Moonfall would get beaten by the Luxio Tribe..at which point they would've stepped in to finish them off. But since Dusknoir was there, they retreated without causing anymore trouble. Skyler and Kei got the Water Float back to the brothers.
Back in Treasure Town, the Kecleon brothers congratulated Skyler and Kei, also for there speed in saving Azurill awhile back. When Kei mentioned that Skyler had seen it in a dream, a surprised Dusknoir told them that that was the Dimensional Scream. Kei suggested to Skyler that they see just how much Dusknoir knew by asking about Skyler's dilemma and they took him to the spot where Skyler had originally been found.
Dusknoir was surprised to learn that Skyler had been a human. He became very interested in knowing Skyler's name and, even though he said the name meant nothing to him after being told, Skyler thought he saw him hide a smile. Dusknoir then told them that he would help them try to unravel the mystery of Skyler's past, stating that he couldn't stand knowing there was something that he didn't know.
Just then, Kei noticed that the sky was filled with circling Pelipper...many more than normal. As Dusknoir was wondering if there was trouble, Bidoof arrived to tell them that all apprentices were to return to the guild immediately. Realizing something serious was up, the hurried back with Dusknoir.
At the guild they found out that the Time Gear at Fogbound Lake had been stolen, despite the guild keeping it secret. Uxie was in protective custody and had told authorities the identity of the thief and a wanted picture for the outlaw, Grovyle, was posted in the guild. The guild plus Dusknoir were to work together to catch the thief. Chatot and Dusknoir came up with several locations that seemed promising as places that had Time Gears. Figuring that the best way to capture Grovyle was to cut him off at the Time Gears, they sent one group to each area.
Team Moonfall was sent to investigate the Northern Desert. Beyond that they found the Quicksand Desert, but nothing other than a lot of quicksand pools there. Skyler had the same eerie feeling as he'd had in Foggy Forest...like he knew this place. Kei only noticed that Skyler seemed to be spacing out a lot and, pointing out that there seemed to be nothing there to investigate and no way to proceed, decided they should go back to the guild.
No one else had found anything either, though Biddof had picked up a small crystal while investigating Crystal Cave. Disappointed but not deterred, Chatot and Dusknoir tried to think of other places. By the next morning, no new ideas had been supplied so everyone was to investigate on their own. When Kei asked Skyler where they should start, he thought back to the feeling he had in Quicksand Desert the day before and decided that might mean there was something out there after all.
They returned to that area and Skyler noted once again that all that seemed to be there was quicksand. Then he considered that if there was only quicksand, and no way to proceed, then the quicksand pits must be the key. He convinced Kei that they should jump into the quicksand, which dropped them into and underground cave. Deep in the cave they found another lake with an odd glow in the center. When they tried to approach the lake for a closer look, they were attacked by Mesprit, the lake guardian. She had heard via telepathy from Uxie that the Fogbound Lake Time Gear had been stolen.
They managed to beat her, but she refused to listen when Kei tried to tell her they weren't trying to steal the Time Gear. It was then that Grovyle appeared. He knocked Skyler and Kei aside, then struck Mesprit when she wouldn't move. He didn't further attack her, since she was already injured, but when Skyler and Kei tried to stop him again he struck them down. He dove into the lake and stole the Time Gear, leaving Mesprit to rush Team Moonfall out of the area as time started to stop around them, or be frozen n time.
Back in Treasure Town, Mesprit was put into protective custody and the guild considered that since one of Dusknoir's suggestions had led to a Time Gear, the other places might as well. Dusknoir also revealed that since two of the three Pokemon that embodied spirit, Uxie and Mesprit, had guarded Time Gears then the third being, Azelf, might also. Going off the fact that all three had been said to dwell in lakes, and Uxie and Mesprit had been found in unusually located lakes, he also reasoned that Azelf would be found in a lake located where you would least expect to see one.
Dusknoir then asked Bidoof to let Skyler borrow his crystal to touch and maybe trigger a vision. Knowing the guild members didn't know about Skyler's ability, Kei filled them in and Bidoof agreed. Feeling a little pressured by everyone waiting to see what happened, Skyler touched the crystal and had a vision in which Grovyle knocked out an unfamiliar Pokemon and tried to steal a Time Gear. The guild was amazed that one of their members had such an ability, though they were concerned by the possibility that the event Skyler had seen might have happened already.
Dusknoir pointed out that Mesprit had mentioned hearing from Uxie not Azelf, and that the fact that Skyler had had the vision meant that there was most likely a Time Gear in Crystal Cave and therefore they should investigate...because, while they might be too late, they also might not be. It was decided that the whole guild would go, and Dusknoir decided to come as well to help.
Kei suggested to Skyler that, rather than search the entire cave, they make their way in as far as possible and go from there. There, they found three giant crystals that Kei discovered changed color when touched. When Skyler touched one to see for himself he was hit by the Dimensional Scream again, this time hearing a voice that gave him the clue to proceed, much like at Fogbound Lake. Realizing he had to match the crystal colors, he then had to figure out the color. Kei let him work upon noticing he was onto something and shortly the path to the lake was opened.
Grovyle had beaten them there and just defeated Azelf, but before he could take the Time Gear Azelf sealed the lake in Crystal. When the furious thief turned on Azelf again, Skyler and Kei stood in his way, but Grovyle seriously injured them both in the fight. Skyler found himself unable to move as Grovyle moved in to take out Azelf, and Kei who still stood between the thief and the guardian.
Dusknoir appeared then, saving their lives again and confronting Grovyle, who used the flash from a Luminous Orb to evade him. Dusknoir set off in hot pursuit, leaving behind an unconscious Team Moonfall and Azelf for the guild crew to find and take care of. Sometime later, Skyler and Kei woke up in their room with Chimecho watching over them. After finding out that Azelf was safe, Kei told everyone about what had happened at the lake, and how Dusknoir seemed to know Grovyle from before then.
The discussion was interrupted by an alert from Deputy Magnemite, letting them know that Officer Magnezone was calling all the town Pokemon together for an important announcement. At the town square, Skyler, Kei, and Azelf were glad to see Uxie and Mesprit safe, as well as Dusknoir. Dusknoir hadn't managed to catch Grovyle, but the Time Gear was still safe for now.
It was actually Dusknoir that had the announcement to make. He informed everyone that Grovyle was a notorious outlaw from the future who had escaped to the past, and was now trying to cause the planet's paralysis by stealling the Time Gears and causing time to stop. He explained what the world would be like if such a thing happened and, when asked how he knew so much, revealed that he too was from the future. He had come to catch Grovyle and take him back to the future with him.
Azelf suggested that he, Uxie and Mesprit go back to Crystal Lake, leaving rumors that they were going to seal away the Time Gear to draw Grovyle out. Dusknoir was to be the only one to go with them, while everyone else spread the rumor, because too many other Pokemon would make the thief suspicious. The next couple of nights, Skyler and Kei mused over the idea of Pokemon from the future, and Skyler wondered what the future world was like.
One morning during the morning address, a bulletin was sent out by Deputy Magnemite announcing that Grovyle had been captured and Dusknoir was taking him back to the future but wished to say goodbye first. The entire guild joined the Treasure Town Pokemon in the town square, in front of the dimensional hole that would take Dusknoir home. After nearly all the goodbyes were finished, Dusknoir called upon Skyler and Kei. When they approached him to say their final goodbyes, Dusknoir suddenly grabbed them both and pulled them into the hole with him.
Sometime later, they woke in a locked cell. Recalling what had happened, they realized they must have been taken to the future, but weren't given much time to think about it. Several Sableye entered the cell and blindfolded them both before leading them away. When the blindfold was removed, Skyler found himself tied to a column, Kei and Grovyle likewise restrained. Grovyle informed them that Dusknoir planned to be rid of them all, but didn't really care why Dusknoir didn't want the two of them around.
When Dusknoir entered with his Sableye, Kei's attempts to get his attention seemed to fall on deaf ears. Grovyle offered them a way out: when the Sableye unleashed their Fury Swipes on them, there was a chance the ropes would break...if that happened they were to attack quickly to try and escape. After getting loose, Grovyle used a Luminous Orb to create a flash, then hid Skyler and Kei underground using Dig, to fool Dusknoir into believing they had run out already. Then they fled the facility.
The world outside was not what Skyler and Kei expected. It was dark and creepy-looking, with boulders floating in the air, and not even a small breeze. There was no time to take this in though, as they had to keep running. Eventually they took shelter in a little alcove. in the side of a cliff.
When Grovyle mentioned they should move on after a short rest, Kei immediately pointed out that neither him or Skyler had agreed to do more than escape the stocade with Grovyle and wouldn't trust a bad Pokemon like him...Skyler seemed to be less certain on this though. Grovyle expressed displeasure that after what had happened they'd still consider Dusknoir a good guy and mistrust him. Stating that there was no point in continuing together if there was no trust between them, Grovyle headed off alone, wishing them luck and leaving them with the warning that they should move on soon as well if they didn't want to be caught.
When Kei asked him if they shouldn't wait for morning, Grovyle informed them that mornings never came. The world was in perpetual darkness due to the planet's paralysis. Skyler and Kei did have to admit that it fit Dusknoir's description of the world's ruin, but couldn't figure how it happened. Grovyle simply told them they could believe what he said or not, then left.
Kei questioned what could have happened, wondering if everyone's efforts had been for nothing, but he and Skyler didn't get much time to think over it, as they heard the Sableye approaching and decided to move on quickly as well. After passing through Chasm Cave, they found a waterfall, where the water was frozen in time. They wondered again about the state of the world and Dusknoir's odd change in attitude. Kei suggested that Skyler touch the water to try and get a vision that might help them understand the situation, but nothing happened. Disappointed, they kept moving.
When they made it through the Dark Hill, Kei became rather depressed. He was scared lost, and not sure what to believe or who to trust. Skyler felt the same, but knew they had to move on or be caught. Realizing there best bet to get home was to catch up to Grovyle, who had already been to their time period, he coaxed Kei into tracking down the thief.
They finally caught up with Grovyle deep within the Sealed Ruin, the thief having been attacked by a Spiritomb that lived there. They drove off the Pokemon and saved Grovyle, who explained that the Spiritomb wasn't a bad Pokemon. It, like most of the Pokemon in the future, had simply become bitter and twisted due to the unrelenting darkness and had been angry that they had trespassed.
He then asked if they were ready to trust him, but since Kei was still doubtful on whether he could trust him started to leave again. When Kei admitted that they didn't know what was what and that what Grovyle had told them so far made sense, Grovyle stopped. Kei asked him to explain what had happened to the world and why he'd gone to the past, saying they wouldn't accept what was said at face value but would listen and then decide. Grovyle agreed and led them to a relatively safe spot to talk.
Grovyle told them of the events that led to the planet's paralysis, as well as what had become of the Pokemon who had ensured time's proper flow. He also spoke of how he'd gone to try to change history and so Dialga, now Primal Dialga, wanted him gone to prevent history from being changed. He said Dusknoir was the agent sent to eliminate him, which Kei just couldn't bring himself to believe, having looked up to Dusknoir. Skyler realized that what Grovyle said made perfect sense, considering all that had happened since they'd arrived in the future, and knew that Kei did realize it too...it was just hard to accept.
When Kei was about to go seek out Dusknoir in an attempt to learn the truth, it was actually Grovyle who talked him out of it, telling him that rather than believing or disbelieving words at face value, he should think for himself and do what he thought was right. When he started to head out again, Kei asked what he would do now and Grovyle replied that he planned to collect the Time Gears again...and to do that he needed to find Celebi. He told them they could come or not before heading off.
Skyler wasn't fully sure what to believe, but he did know that the state of the future started in the past and that was all the more reason to go back. This was something he and Kei agreed on and they hurried to catch up to Grovyle. They also decided that if they got back and decided that Grovyle was wrong for stealing Time Gears, then they'd stop him. But they needed to get to Celebi fast, because Primal Dialga had marked her for elimination too.
Upon arriving at Dusk Forest, Skyler experienced the same feeling he'd had at both the Foggy Forest and Quicksand Desert. There was no time to think on it though, as Grovyle was eager to get going. They found Celebi in a clearing deep in the forest and, though Kei stuck his foot in his mouth several times, she agreed to get them to the Passage of Time. She also seemed to notice something about Skyler, but when Grovyle asked her what was up, she said it was nothing and led them on.
At the Passage of Time they were ambushed by Dusknoir and his Sableye. Everyone was willing to fight, but then it was revealed that Dusknoir had brought Primal Dialga too. Realizing they couldn't fight, Grovyle surrendered, stating that the partner who'd traveled to the past with him would finish the mission. This caused Dusknoir to start laughing and, after Grovyle asked what was so funny, demanded that he name his partner. To the surprise of both Skyler and Kei, Grovyle said his partner's name was Skyler. When Kei told Grovyle that Skyler was right here, Grovyle was unconvinced, stating that the Skyler he knew was a human.
Dusknoir confirmed it for them all though, having figured it out the day that Skyler and Kei had come to him for advice. This knowledge robbed Grovyle of his hope, and paralyzed Skyler with shock. Kei asked Celebi to transport them through time just enough to reach the Passage. Dialga shattered the path, but they were close enough to dive in, which they did as soon as Celebi assured them she would be fine.
They woke up in the past on the same beach where Skyler and Kei first met. Kei asked Grovyle to explain the time travel to them and suggested they go to the guild. Grovyle had reservations about that, since he was considered an outlaw in this world, so instead Kei too them inside of Sharpedo Bluff, where he had lived before joining the guild.
That night, discussion turned mostly to Skyler, the mission he'd shared with Grovyle, and the Dimensional Scream. They learned that in the future, it only reacted to events related to Time Gears, but in the past that wasn't the case, and that it activating so early in Skyler and Kei's friendship meant that they'd early developed a strong trust.
Grovyle went on to explain that he and Skyler encountered turbulence while traveling through time and had been separated as a result. He figured that Skyler's current condition was a direct result of that accident. He then asked what they planned to do, because he was going after the Time Gears again. It was decided that they'd go too, and they'd leave in the morning.
In order to avoid causing a stir with their return so soon, it was decided that they would go after the Time Gear in Treeshroud Forest first. But when they got there it to find that time was still stopped from the first time Grovyle had taken it...even though it had been returned. Grovyle asked Kei to gather some information in Treasure Town when they got back, but the news wasn't good. Not only had time remained stopped in the Time Gear areas, but time was stopping in other places now too. Grovyle figured that the collapse of Temporal Tower must have been fully under way.
Realizing there was no time, they decided to split up. Grovyle would get the Time Gears, while Team Moonfall searched for the Hidden Land, where Temporal Tower could be found. There was the possibility they'd have to cross the sea, but Grovyle had no clues. With no idea where to start looking, Skyler and Kei wound up back on the beach, trying to come up with something.
Knowing how short on time and information they were, Skyler quickly came to the conclusion that they needed to go to the guild for help. He wasn't positive they believe the two of them when they told everyone the truth, but it had to be done if they were to save the planet. It took some doing to convince Kei, but finally they went back.
At the guild, everyone literally ran to see when Diglett identified them, relieved they were safe...but the revealing of the truth was another story. Chatot brushed off their story entirely, but Sunflora brought up what all the apprentices had been thinking: that Dusknoir suddenly pulling Skyler and Kei into the dimensional hole had been very odd and, if what the two of them said was true, it now made perfect sense why he had. The apprentices all decided that as highly as they had all thought of Dusknoir, believing their friends was much more important.
Wigglytuff finally stepped in, pleased with this response and said they should start searching if they were all in agreement. When it was brought up that Chatot wasn't convinced, Wigglytuff simply said Chatot had believed from the start. Despite nobody believing this, Chatot agreed, saying that he was testing their friendship.
Not having any information on the Hidden Land at the guild, Wigglytuff and Chatot suggested that Team Moonfall ask the town elder, Torkoal, for advice. He was the same elderly Pokemon they'd met at the Hot Spring. Chimecho pointed out that they should set out in the morning though, since it was getting late.
At the Hot Spring, Torkoal wasn't able to provide too many answers, as he had forgotten much of that legend. He was able to tell them that it was across the sea, and that one needed proof to enter...but couldn't recall what that proof was. Team Moonfall reported back to the guild, pretty disappointed that they weren't much closer than they had been.
The next day, Torkoal visited the guild because he had remembered something else. He informed everyone that the proof was inscribed with a peculiar pattern, the type that wasn't noramlly seen anywhere. At first no one was able to think of what kind of pattern that might be, but then it occurred to Skyler that Kei's Relic Fragment had a strange inscription and brought this up. When Kei showed the item to Torkoal, the elder was greatly surprised because it was the pattern he'd mentioned. He was even more surprised to learn that they were actually looking for the Hidden Land.
Wigglytuff mentioned that he and Chatot had seen that pattern before. Chatot acknowledged it, specifying that it had been at a sea inlet in Brine Cave, but was a little apprehensive because there was a vicious bandit there. Undeterred, the apprentices proclaimed their readiness to explore, so it was decided they'd leave in the morning.
Wigglytuff put Chatot on standby, but he insisted he be let come along until the Guildmaster agreed, assigning him to lead Skyler and Kei to where the pattern was found. He then announced that he had something to do and left Chatot in charge.
While preparing for the next's day's exploration, Kei mentioned that they should check Sharpedo Bluff to see if Grovyle had been back. They found a letter from Grovyle there, letting them know how things were progressing and warning them that Dusknoi was sure to reappear. He also let them know that when he had all the Time Gears he would be found on either the beach or the bluff.
Kei immediately suggested they check the beach, but Grovyle wasn't there. Neither were the Krabby that blew bubbles at sunset, which Kei seemed to find odd. The two of them took some time to remember how they met on the beach, and how the Relic Fragment had been the starting point for their friendship. They also spotted a Pokemon swimming far offshore, but couldn't really spare the time to wonder about it, needing to get back to the guild.
The next morning came, but Wigglytuff had not returned. Chatot decided that they should head out anyway, and after a bit of indecisiveness the guild set out. They split up into small groups to proceed. Skyler and Kei traveled with Chatot, but were attacked by Team Skull, who wanted the Relic Fragment so they could get credit for exploring the Hidden Land first. Enraged that Team Skull had been playing the guild for suckers, Chatot pursued them, leaving Skler and Kei to try and catch up.
They found Team Skull badly beaten, but Skuntank assured them that the tongue-lashing Chatot gave them just moments after they were ambushed had made them so mad they weren't dying there. Touched by their concern though, he pretended to drop the Relic Fragment by accident, leaving them free to take it. He also redirected their concern to Chatot who had continued on.
Though reluctant to leave Team Skull in such a state, they hurried to find Chatot. Chatot had just lost sight of the vicious bandits when they caught up to him, but there didn't seem to be anywhere to hide. Chatot realized just in time that the Pokemon were on the ceiling and shielded Team Moonfall from their attack, taking serious damage. Skyler and Kei drove off the outlaws just before Wigglytuff and Grovyle arrived, followed shortly by the rest of the guild.
When Grovyle said they should take Chatot home, Wigglytuff told Skyler and Kei to continue on while the rest of them took care of Chatot...because if they didn't then Chatot's injuries would be for nothing. So they left with Grovyle to find the wall with the strange pattern.
At the inlet, they found it, and Keo's Relic Fragment reacted to it, causing a stream of light to shoot from the wall out to sea. A Pokemon appeared to them, introducing himself as Lapras. He'd come to transport them to the Hidden Land and Wigglytuff had let him know about them beforehand.
As the rode Lapras across the sea, he told them all about how he knew the Guildmaster and about Dialga and the Hidden Land...which was located in the gap between seconds, with the only key to gain entry being the Relic Fragment. By morning, they reached the portal which granted them access, and Lapras took them to the edge of the Hidden Land, telling them that to reach the tower they had to go to the Old Ruins and board the Rainbow Stoneship. From them on, it was up to Skyler, Kei, and Grovyle to proceed on their own.
After making their way to the Old Ruins, they found what appeared to be a small temple. At the top was a small indent in the floor and a stone marker inscribed with Unown letters. Grovyle read that they were standing on the Rainbow Stoneship, and to activate it the Relic Fragment was to be activated.
Before this could be done however, Skyler and his friends were surrounded by Dusknoir's Sableye. Dusknoir had simply waited there for them to arrive so he could take them back to the future again, but they fought back though Dusknoir gained the upper hand. When he opened the mouth on his stomach for an attack, Skyler realized that that would be the best chance to beat him and told Grovyle and Kei that they needed to force their combined moves into that mouth...which they did as soon as Dusknoir attacked. The effect was that their attacks plus Dusknoir's own were forced into the open mouth, seriously injuring him. With their leader defeated, the Sableye quickly escaped into the dimensional hole and back to the future.
Grovyle told Kei to go see if the Rainbow Stneship actually worked, while he and Skyler kept an eye on Dusknoir. Shortly after he left, Dusknoir asked Grovyle and Skyler if they really wanted to go through with this...because the Pokemon of the future would disappear. Shocked, Skyler turned to Grovyle for answers.
Grovyle confirmed that Dusknoir spoke the truth, but didn't care as long as it meant restoring time and peace to the world. When he mentioned that Celebi had helped knowing she'd disappear too, Skyler recalled that she had said she'd devote her life to preventing the destruction of time...he just hadn't realized exactly what she meant at the time. Grovyle went on to tell Skyler that he had also come to the past with that resolve, though he'd have forgotten it now.
But when it came down to it, it was either save the world and disappear, or let the world fall into ruin. Skyler understood this and was willing to continue towards their goal, but Grovyle had a concern about Skyler. When they left for the past, they had the resolve mostly because they had nothing to lose or go back to...but Skyler had Kei now, and if they succeeded then Kei would be left all alone. This did leave a serious dilemma for Skyler, who didn't want to hurt his friend in such a way.
Just then, they could hear the Rainbow Stoneship activating and turned to see. Dusknoir took their moment of distraction to strike Skyler, not willing to let them change history. He moved in to attack him again, but Grovyle took the blow instead, sustaining serious damage because of it. Before Dusknoir could attack again, Grovyle began forcing him back towards the dimensional hole, intending to take Dusknoir back to the future with him...even though he couldn't return to the past again afterward.
Kei arrived to this scene and Grovyle left them both with important parting words. He asked Kei to watch Skyler's back for him, and told Skyler that though parting hurts the rest was up to him. Then he took Dusknoir and disappeared, leaving the two of them devastated behind him. They both realized that they had to hurry or the Rainbow Stoneship would leave them.
Kei gathered the Time Gears Grovyle left behind and promising that they wouldn't fail to make the future a place Grovyle could live in happily...Skyler knew what would really happen though. Kei also mused aloud on what Grovyle had said to Skyler, figuring that it must have hurt Grovyle deeply to leave because he'd been friends with Skyler for so long...but Skyler again knew better. He realized that Grovyle had been referring to the point when he would leave Kei. When Kei mentioned that now they definitely had to succeed, for Grovyle's sake, Skyler agreed...but didn't tell Kei the truth about what would happen.
When they arrived at the base of the tower, the ground started to shake because the collapse of the tower was so far underway. The top of the tower was also surrounded by angry-looking red clouds. Wasting no time, Skyler and Kei quickly made their way to the top. There they found the altar containing slots that the Time Gears were to be placed into. But Dialga who, already losing his reason and assumed they had come to do harm to the tower, attacked them before they could insert the Time Gears. They managed to knock him out, but the fight had almost taken too long and everything was shaking apart
They quickly inserted the Time Gears, but the tremors didn't stop and lightning bolts began to rapidly strike the tower. Skyler blacked out for a short while, but when he came to, the tower was still standing and Dialga had returned to normal. Dialga then used telepathy to show Kei and Skyler that time had resumed its natural flow in all of the places it had stopped. Dialga then thanked them for returning the world's peace and informed them that the Rainbow Stoneship should still work and Lapras would be waiting to take them home.
Back outside the tower, the tremors still happened occasionally, but Skyler was more preoccupied with the heaviness that he was suddenly feeling throughout his body and the knowledge that he probably had very little time left. This was confirmed when he was envoloped in light suddenly.
After a long and heartbreaking conversation in which Skyler told Kei that he'd known that he was going to disappear and that Kei would need to be strong without him, told him he had to make sure everyone knew what had gone on at Temporal Tower to prevent a disaster like this from happening again, and them both confessing that they were more important to each other than anything, Skyler faded from existence.
((AN: Even though I'm the one who decided the gender/name/species of this character, this background is completely canon and includes only things that happened within the storyline. For background purposes only, the partner Pokemon is a male Squirtle named Kei. This is not specifically canon, as the partner type and name is also up to the player.
Also note for people not familiar with Pokemon in general. None of the NPC characters are named so they're addressed simply as what Pokemon they are. For anything you may not understand, please look here.))