Let's Play! Let's Catch 'em All in PMD Explorers of Sky! (Part 38: Zero Isles & Kecleon)

Heroic Troller

Through the Sea of Time
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So this gets into my question, which even given a later spoiler doesn't make sense to me.

Dusknoir says you have to be eliminated for trying to change history, which is easy enough to understand for Grovyle, ignoring the obvious morality flip that's happened on sides. That said, why did Dusknoir grab and drag you back to the future as well? He had your full cooperation with capturing Grovyle and keeping history on course, you're not guilty of anything even indirectly with any of the information presented. At this point, the only thing Dusknoir has done is invited massive cause for suspicion for you and everyone who saw you dragged into the portal, while also basically confirming his story was a load if you make it back and prove history as is leads to the planet's paralysis.
Probably because amnesia is not always permanent. Some people regain the memories after some time, leaving them alive was a big risk, it makes sense to me.
 
Dammit, Alti, I was all excited to launch into my rant on the contradictions about this part of the story, but you just had to do it yourself. :D

You know what, I'm going to do it anyway, since as amazing a game as Sky is... this is quite the plot hole.

Alright, so at some point *much* later in the story, Darkrai tells you that "he sabotaged Temporal Tower, knowing that eventually it would paralyze the planet". Now, since playing it, I took this to mean that the Time Gears are the "energy cores" of Temporal Tower and that eventually the tower would collapse without them, and that he stole and scattered them, knowing that things would appear normal for long enough that it would be impossible to trace it back to him.

Obviously this theory is full of holes - namely, in that case, what would the Lake Guardians be doing guarding them? I definitely think that Pika Pal's interpretation is a lot more likely, that Darkrai somehow structurally sabotaged the tower, and that the Time Gears are a failsafe (how, exactly?) - barring, of course, that putting the gears back into the tower somehow stops it from collapsing at all. I mean, I don't think that's quite how structural integrity works...

I guess my biggest problem is that wouldn't Uxie, the Being of Knowledge, know about what Darkrai did and quickly realize that he should take (return?) the gear to Temporal Tower and tell the other guardians to do the same? And while we're at the topic, why tie the flow of time in the regions that have Time Gears to their presence at all? I mean, it's pretty obvious that there's no Time Gear in or around Treasure Town, and it seems to do just fine.
 
Hydrachomp: Maybe they figured children would also have a hard time understanding the sudden change in affect with Dusknoir and Grovyle and used Ray as a sort of audience-surrogate so that it wasn't "taken for granted" that Grovyle was the protagonist when the player doesn't believe?? I have no idea. I was like 13 or something when I played this so I have no idea how younger children would have reacted. They probably could have handled it in a better way though, because Dusknoir's attempt to murder us was pretty obvious.
Thanks for the nice remarks, by the way!

pika pal: Yeah, if Dusknoir had acted a little less... obviously evil... maybe it would have made more sense for Ray to be unsure. But as it stands, Dusknoir tried to kill them and Grovyle helped them escape and helped them prepare for Spiritomb, so "actions speak louder than words" - who's really been a supportive force here in the future? You tell me, Ray.
I agree pretty much entirely with the first paragraph. I don't know how immortal the Lake Guardians are, but it's very possible they could have been late installments or something and not privy to the origins/functions of the Time Gears. That's probably the best argument, imo.
As for multiple Time Gears - you say it's implied there are more than 5, and you're probably right because of the volcano one that we see but never collect (and it's even Darkness' menu screen!), but I'd also like to point out the theory some have had that the game was supposed to have 6 Time Gears and the volcano one just ended up not... being incorporated. When we go to put the Time Gears in Temporal Tower, there's enough space to fit a 6th one - and I'll point this out when we get that far in case you don't remember exactly how that looks.

I agree with the second paragraph generally too. It fits Grovyle's personality to just go for it.

I admit I'd never considered the idea that Darkrai had put Dialga in a nightmare and that's why everything had gone so horribly wrong. It would explain a lot, I think, and makes a lot of sense. Cool stuff!

On Celebi and Dialga: Probably. As we're about to see in this update, Dialga may not have as much power over the Passage of Time as it seems like he should. Maybe Dialga can't really time-travel in the traditional sense, and that's Celebi's domain. It's a bit unclear how their powers interact in the Pokémon canon in general.

Heroic Troller: I was getting to that point, without saying it explicitly, in my last Reply box. It makes more sense than the alternatives at any rate lmao

lucariomaster2: lol if there's anything I missed feel free to point it out anyway haha. Most of the contradictions I'm seeing are fairly recent compared to the amount of time I've been playing these games, so I may not have even figured them all out yet.
I'm pretty sure the Time Gears were meant to be separated from Temporal Tower, and that wasn't Darkrai's doing - both for the guardians issue you suggest, but also because Grovyle never seems to imply that the Time Gears being scattered is anything but the natural order of things, and this is someone who lives in the Hidden Land, knows about Temporal Tower, and has done a boatload of research into the planet's paralysis. Of course I assume if Darkrai scattered the Time Gears he'd be careful to leave no trace of himself, but I mean, Grovyle was working with both a time-travel Pokémon and someone with the Dimensional Scream to gather intel, so if the Time Gears were not supposed to be scattered I feel like they might have known about it. This is just speculation based on what Grovyle and Celebi seem to imply with their discussions, but that's just the impression I got.

My best analogy for the Time Gears is that it's like having backups of important data in multiple places in case your computer falls into the ocean. Of course, that wouldn't explain how the Time Gears restore the tower nor how removing Time Gears causes time to stop in their area, but it's the closest metaphor I can get lol

Yeah, the Guardians should have been... better than they were. Of course it would completely kill the narrative and the conflict if Uxie had just brought the gears to the tower ahead of time, and we wouldn't have a game to play, but it's still hard to believe in context. I wish they had justified that somehow.

As for time in the region of the Time Gears, my best thought was that the Time Gears are strategically placed so their collective radii cover the whole world, and when a Time Gear is removed, time stopping radiates outward from the Time Gear's location, so if they're all removed the world eventually stops (maybe except for Hidden Land, idk). Maybe Treasure Town is far enough away from a Time Gear location to where it hasn't been affected yet by the time the game ends? I dunno. This is just a thought lmao



Showing this off for the top screen map. Guess it makes sense that Dusk Forest is in the... uh... forest?

Also ok this big floating island thing doesn’t exactly look familiar but who knows what might have happened in the future. Again we don’t know how far in the future it is, maybe this is like. Far enough in the future that the continents have shifted or something like that. Who knows?


Let’s go.


Let’s go, then. We’ll find Celebi and return to the past.
Hopefully we actually, uh, succeed at finding Celebi.

Let’s go.

Whattttttttt

Grovyle: What is it?
Ray: If the three of us do return to our world...
Grovyle, will you... steal the Time Gears like you did before?
Ray... what do you think? That’s his mission.

Grovyle: Well... yes, I will.
Otherwise, the planet’s paralysis can’t be stopped.
I mean. What else did you expect Grovyle to do? Just give up and watch the paralysis unfold without intervening? When he knows what’s going to happen?
Really, Ray?

Ray: But I...
W H A T

Grovyle, I’m not convinced yet.
I don’t completely trust you yet.
oh my GOD RAY

I’m only cooperating with you because I want to return to our world.
If we do return, Grovyle...
I’ll investigate if you really were stealing those Time Gears to prevent the planet’s paralysis.
How do you plan to do that? If Chatot, the head of intelligence of the guild, and the Lake Trio, the guardians of the Time Gears, had no idea, how do you expect to find out through investigating alone? What sources are you going to consult that are lost to the others? Who will you ask?

Grovyle, if I decide that you’re wrong for stealing the Time Gears...
I’m going to stop you, Grovyle!
… Ray, do you have any idea how stupid what you just said is? Grovyle may not be a villain, but he clearly has no qualms about doing what he needs to in order to achieve his goals: stopping time in at least five regions, fighting the Lake Trio and defeating them, putting Ray and Alti on death’s doorstep (Ray was only saved by Dusknoir’s interference that one time, remember?) – who’s to say he wouldn’t be above outright murdering Pokémon if needed in order to save the future? I mean, I don’t think he would be, but – especially if Ray doesn’t trust him yet – who knows?

And yet Ray is here saying that he might try to prevent Grovyle from doing literally the only thing he cares about doing.
Ray, do you have a death wish?

Anyway...

Grovyle: Humph! Do as you will. But keep this mind...
What’s important now is getting ourselves safely back to your world.
Yeah, I mean, Grovyle has absolutely no reason to care about our welfare. We’re randos who nearly got him killed (Ray almost went to go ask Dusknoir about Grovyle’s story) and so Grovyle is already going out of his way to allow his to accompany him, and he’s still offering to do that despite Ray’s words, he could just as well not.
You are treading on very thin ice here, Ray-boy.

So for the time being... focus on getting back home.
Let’s go.

(I feel it...)
(I am sensing something strange...)
Ray: Hm? What’s the matter, Alti?
Alti: (I just know it!)
(I’ve felt something like this before...)
Like what?

(It was...)
(That’s it! It was when...)
Music: I Saw Something Again...


… this looks familiar...

Alti: (…)
(What’s this weird sensation?)
(I don’t know why I’m feeling this way...)
(I...)
(Wait a second! I know this place!)
Wait... so... if this is the feeling that Alti is getting out of Dusk Forest...
So... either Dusk Forest is actually Foggy Forest or Alti has been to Dusk Forest but either way why???


SUSPICIOUS..................

Grovyle: Hey! What are you doing?
Hurry!
yeah bro what he said!

Ray: We have to hurry, Alti.
I KNOW I HEARD

We leave... but...


Oh. Oh, that’s not good.


Can we not do this... I just want to get out of here alive.


Music: Dusk Forest
A lovely track, it seems to have a feeling that something is watching you as you go... fitting lol

Pokémon: Jumpluff, Mothim, Mismagius, Gabite

… and of course more Ghost-types (well one ghost) make this ridic.


Later on the forest turns blue-ish. Cool?


Normally, you can’t see the moveset of a teammate that’s not yours (as Grovyle is), but you can get around this by picking up a TM and attempting to teach it to anyone, which lets you see a non-team member’s moveset (even though you can’t teach it). So here we see that Grovyle has Absorb, Quick Attack, Leaf Blade, and Dig – the fact that they kept Dig from that cutscene is great, and the rest of the moveset is pretty decent too. Cool stuff! They took effort here with Grovyle.
Also >level 46 hot damn


After eight floors we reach... the Heights. Whatever that means.


whatever would give you THAT impression, just the sudden open area??

Grovyle: That’s right. It was around here that I met her the last time.
Well I guess it’s the right place regardless.

But if Primal Dialga knows of this place...
Celebi will have fled from here.
Well that’s perfectly fine then huh?? This might be a complete crapshoot is what you’re saying? Great...

If this place isn’t known to our pursuers, however...
Then Celebi should still be here.
and how do you propose to find her



THAT’S your master plan??

It’s me! Grovyle!
Reveal yourself... if you’re here!
@_@


All right what now? How are we supposed to get back if Celebi isn’t here?? This is a very problematic plan for several reasons

Did she get frightened off by Primal Dialga?
What if...
What if she’s... been captured by Primal Dialga?
That would sure suck?


WAT

Ray: Wah! Where’d that voice come from?!
its in ur Mind

But now... I don’t hear anything.
That voice... Was I just hearing things?
never don’t you know. All things you hear are real in games!


AUGH

Me? Captured?
How insulting! Captured?!
I’m... sorry?

Impossible, that’s for sure! Tee-hee!
All right??


Oh helTHAT IS A SHINY CELEBI.
WASN’T EXPECTING THAT.

Music

Grovyle: Yes. It has been a while, Celebi.
Ray: What?! This tiny thing is Celebi?
ray stfu she’s probably taller than u shut up

… ok lets check.
Riolu is 2’04" (0.7m) and Celebi is 2’00" (0.6m) so I guess Celebi is shorter, never mind

Celebi: Now that is downright rude!
thank u

How inappropriate! To poke fun at my petite proportions...
its not HER fault mang!

Ray: Uh... I’m sorry.
I heard you have the ability to cross time...
So I expected you to be some awe-inspiring Pokémon...
@_@
Ray.
Stop.
Talking.

Celebi: How uncouth! Never judge someone by appearance!
But... I forgive you.
After all...

Eh. I guess?? Well I mean shiny Celebi is definitely special that much is true.

Ray: Um, yes.
rip ray

Grovyle: Celebi. I need your help again.
Celebi: I know.
Seeing you back here, my dear Grovyle, tells me everything I need to know.
… you know that’s true. The fact that he’s here in the future and it hasn’t warped into a not-paralyzed planet kinda says it all, doesn’t it?

You’re back because you failed your mission in the past, yes?
That’s kinda blunt though

Grovyle: Urk... Yes, it’s true.
Celebi: I hope you manage this time. I’ve quite had enough of this.
Living in this dark and dreary world is so depressing.
… couldn’t you move somewhere else?

Grovyle: Sorry, no time to chat...
The Sableye are tracking us.
more than u think

If we don’t leave soon, we’ll have brought trouble to you.
Celebi: Tee-hee! It’s quite fine. There is no need to be worried.
You’re awfully chipper when murderous clawbeasts are tracking us. And for this whole depressing future in general.

Let those Sableye come. They’re of no concern to me.
Besides, if you would be so kind as to prevent the planet’s paralysis...
We’ll finally be spared the agony of this world of darkness.
I guess getting attacked by Sableye is a small price to pay in exchange for being in a better world.

My dear Grovyle, I will devote my whole life to achieve that end!
That’s kinda sweet c:

Grovyle: All right... Where is the Passage of Time?
What Celebi can’t just touch us and magic time travel transport us away?

Celebi: It’s ready. It is nearby.
Define “nearby”


I mean yeah I guess?

That’s good. Can you guide us?
Celebi: Yes!
Are all three of you taking the Passage of Time?
if Ray stops alienating our only allies, yes

Grovyle: Yeah. That’s right.

WHAT
WHAT
WHAT IS IT

Alti: (What...? What...?)
I’M CONFUSED TOO

Celebi: ….....................
say something gdi

No... That can’t be...
FFS EXPLAIN YOURSELF

Grovyle: Is something the matter, Celebi?
YES AND

Celebi: No... It’s nothing.
APPARENTLY SHE WON’T TELL ME WHAT IT IS GREAT.


All right I guess...?


wat

So what’s the Passage of Time?
isnt it OBVIOUS

The Passage of Time is a portal that Celebi uses to travel through time.
It’s a secret corridor that spans dimensions.
Where’s the secret part though

Celebi: For short trips, I can travel through time all by myself.
But for big trips that span many generations, I must use the Passage of Time.
So do you like, create it yourself, or what?

Ray: Oh! So if we were to go through that Passage of Time...
Grovyle: Yes. You will be able to return to your time.
Celebi: Oh! I see it!
DO YOU


… that doesnt look like a time corridor to me.


Oh okay.

The Passage of Time is way up there.
Grovyle: Good. We’ll leave as soon as we’re ready.

So we get some time to prepare. First things first, more top screen map, but second, this is the point where you can get one of the best dialogues in the game...


… yes?

Did you know that Grovyle is really impatient and hasty?
Yeah I could see that

I know that he wants to hurry, but I do wish he would slow down a little...
It would sure make me happier if he did...
I want to spend as much time as I can with him...
… ahem, what?




I don’t have any special feelings for him or anything!
… all right, Celebi. Sure. I believe you. If you say so.

Anyway, after I get my items organized and save, we continue.


We must make our way to the Passage of Time.
Let’s go.
so to-the-point, bah


Now we’re in Deep Dusk Forest.
Music: Deep Dusk Forest
Pokémon: Vulpix, Rhydon, Steelix, Leafeon, Hippowdon, Aggron

… for a forest this seems to have a bizarrely high concentration of Ground/Steel types and also a Sandstorm setter???


Also I intentionally brought the Wide Slash TM so we could check out Celebi’s moveset. Not too bad! Heal Bell is still nice as you might expect in Mystery Dungeon so


ok but is this water frozen like that waterfall or is it still liquid...


WHY IS IT ORANGE


yeah because that makes sense
I guess “dead future” explains it? Maybe?


12 floors in, Celebi spots it... presumably.

There it is!

I guess that looks like a time travel portal?


What do u think use ur brain.

Grovyle: That’s right. That’s the Passage of Time.
I went through that to go to the past.
Celebi, only you can open the Passage of Time.
Do your thing.
wow demanding

Celebi: Sure.

Oh... no... what...

Grovyle: What...? That voice!
Ray: It... It can’t be...
Voice: Hello to you all. It’s been a while.
So... cordial... there’s only ONE PERSON I KNOW OF


Music: The Power of Darkness

Ray: Dusknoir...


But sad to say... That’s all over now.
No... the Passage of Time is RIGHT THERE


OH GOD THEY’RE EVERYWHERE.

Grovyle: Humph. That’s crafty, Dusknoir.
You allowed us to roam free, but you kept your eye on us the whole time...
So you could capture Celebi as well as us.
… is that really what this was about...
… FUCKIN CRUEL MAN

Ray: What?! So you mean we were...
followed the whole time?!
I guess...

Grovyle: Humph. I didn’t see this coming.
:(

It’s all my fault, Celebi.
:(

Celebi: Oh? Apologies don’t suit your style, my dear Grovyle!
maybe he loves you back?

And do you honestly think that I can be caught? Tee-hee!
If you insist.


are you kidding of course!!!!

Ray: What?! Of course!
Grovyle: We’re going to power our way through!
We’ll push them aside... Then dive into the Passage of Time!
LET’S DO IT

Ray: G-got it!
Dusknoir: Ha! So you’ll resist?
What else did you expect?

Spare yourself the effort. You have no chance of succeeding.
Oh shaddup we escaped from you once!


You tell ‘im Grovyle!

Dusknoir! You and me! Now!
Wow, confident.



What?

Grovyle: Wh-what?!
Dusknoir: Now, Master Dialga!
OH GOD WHAT


Voice: GRRR-OOOOO!

WELL HI THERE OH GOD THIS IS NOT GOOD


An accurate response.

Grovyle: That... That’s...!
Ray: Grovyle! What is it?! What is that?!
Dusknoir named it dude

Grovyle: That’s... Primal... Dialga...
He sounds so defeated...

Ray: What!?! That is?!
That’s Primal Dialga?!
Dusknoir: What’s wrong, Grovyle? Where’s your bravado now?
Oh shut up.

Grovyle: Gah...
Celebi: My dear Grovyle...
Grovyle: Urf... This... is it for us...
WHAT

Ray: What?! Why?!
Aren’t we going to fight?!
Ray do you have any idea what Primal Dialga is

Grovyle: It’s hopeless... Dusknoir on his own is one thing...
what are the Sableye, chopped liver

But we don’t stand a chance against Dialga.
You two have kept up so well...
I’m sorry to let you down. This is where it ends.
I can’t believe this...

Ray: But...

NO

Do with me... as you will.
NO!

Celebi: My d-d-dear Grovyle!
Dusknoir: What’s the matter, Grovyle?
fffffhdhhhshfhhhshsss seething

It’s not like you to give up so easily.
SEETH ING

Grovyle: Yes. I am giving up.
But... hope is still alive.
If we die... what are you talking about hope is still alive

Celebi, you remember...
That last time... when I traveled back in time to prevent the planet’s paralysis...

What there’s another time traveler somewhere in the past??? ok
This is the first I’ve heard of this anyway!

Ray: What?! Grovyle, you didn’t come to our world alone?!
Grovyle: That’s right. I had a partner.
We headed to the past together.
But when we were going through the Passage of Time, we had trouble...
We became separated.
Oh I guess that explains it?

My partner should still be back in the world of the past.
Even if I am eliminated...
My partner will see our mission through to the end.
Even though we saw no mention of them and Grovyle was the one collecting all the Time Gears...? Hmm

My partner will prevent the planet’s paralysis.
Dusknoir: …..................

what
WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING

Grovyle: What’s... What’s so funny?
Dusknoir: Ha! So you claim someone went to the past with you...
Incidentally, what’s the name of your partner?
Go on. Say the name.
what is all this about

Grovyle: Why ask such a thing?
Dusknoir: Can’t tell me?
what the hell is happening


Wait
WHAT
uh
all right then????? i mean i guess
okay
OKAY

Grovyle: My best friend...
I AM HAVING TROUBLE COMPREHENDING THIS

Alti: (What?!)
Ray: Wh-what?!
Grovyle! Did you say Alti?!
Well, this is Alti right here!

Hi...

You’re... Alti?
I mean. That’s my name??? So I guess??????

Grovyle: … No... it can’t be. It isn’t.
The Alti I know isn’t a Pokémon.

UM WELL YOU SEE,,,,,,

Ray: What?!

… ergh...
so that’s why we were kidnapped...

Well, ok. I say that, but as some commentors have pointed out, that doesn’t really make much sense. If Dusknoir had just left us in the past, we would have lived thinking the world was saved and Grovyle was a villain and that would be the end of that. Now, however, people in the past are probably suspicious, and also we’ve escaped, and teamed up with Grovyle, ensuring that despite Alti’s memory loss she – and Ray! – might well help Grovyle recover the Time Gears if and when we make it back. So he kinda screwed himself over.
The best explanation is that if Alti regained her memories, she would have continued on the quest, so Dusknoir had to prevent any possibility his plans would be interrupted – not considering that we would escape the Sableye’s claws and try to head back to the past. He thought we were, for all intents and purposes, dead.
So I guess it makes sense...?

Music

My good fellow! Grovyle, that is unmistakably your friend Alti!
>“my good fellow” as he is about to MUR DER US

Grovyle: What?!
Dusknoir: That Pokémon you see was once a human!
At least I think so???

Grovyle: Wh-what?!
Dusknoir: Master Dialga had given me a mission...
It was to get rid of you, Grovyle, and Alti. Because you fled to the past.
Because y’all are selfish assholes.

I traveled through time in pursuit of you both.
In the past, I gathered intelligence that might help me find you.
Grovyle ended up becoming obvious even without Dusknoir’s help because of Uxie’s statement though lmao


and that’s why we thought you were NICE

Dusknoir: Hello there! You’re from the guild, if I’m not mistaken?
Ray: Yes. We’re Team Hurricane.
We work at the guild. It’s great to meet you!

I mean we’re just naive guild kids so why would you


… Oh. Right. This scene.

Dusknoir: Excuse me? A dream, you say?
By dream, what do you mean?
Future-Dusknoir: When they mentioned the Dimensional Scream, I was skeptical at first...
Well, yeah. I’m a Totodile who doesn’t seem to recognize you. Of course you wouldn’t think I was the same person.

But then an idea began to take shape in my mind...
And...

... and the memory of being a human before that!
Ray, I think you might have doomed us back then. (I can’t say that. Alti consented to telling Dusknoir all this even in the game.)

Dusknoir: I beg your pardon?! H-human?!
Future-Dusknoir: So, a former human... With no memories...
Getting closer...

A human that possessed the Dimensional Scream...
I became convinced then!
Past-Dusknoir: You...are...?
You said you know your name, at least?
And... that name would be...?
I should have lied

Narration: Alti told the name to Dusknoir.
Dusknoir: Ah! I see...
Alti...
Ray: Does that name mean anything to you?
Dusknoir: … No.

Alti: (Uh, what?!)
(Did I just see... the faintest...)
(Did Dusknoir just hide the faintest of smiles?)
(Or did I imagine that...?)
FFFFFFFFF this was all FORESHADOWED I’M SO ANGRY

Future-Dusknoir: There was no doubt!
This Alti was the very one that I had been seeking!

and was transformed into a Pokémon...
which must be because of the accident during your time travel...
Well, Alti’s memory loss was a lucky stroke for me!
That’s just plain cruel...

After all, your partner failed to recognize who I am.
It was quite easy to win over your partner’s trust.
God. That’s just horrid.

And it was also easy to drag them to the future when the time came!
Which was probably to prevent me from regaining my memories and continuing on the mission... probably. Still maybe not a great idea though.

Ray: Urk... Dusknoir really was lying!
oh you finally believe it??

Dusknoir: Which left you, Grovyle... the last past of the job to finish.
Well... there goes the hope, I guess...

Grovyle: …..................
Alti: (I was a human from the future...?)
(And I was Grovyle’s partner on a mission to prevent the planet’s paralysis?)
(And that’s how I ended up in Ray’s world?)
It’s pretty impossible to believe, huh...

Dusknoir: Grovyle and Alti! With the both of you here...
Everything will end when we finally dispose of you.
That will finally put an end to Grovyle’s glimmer of hope!
Ugh... this is really the end, huh.

Everything ends! Everything ends for you! Ha-ha-hoo-hoo-ha!
Well... this sucks.

Ray: Urgh! Dusknoir... no...
Don’t hurt Ray at least please?

Dusknoir!
Dusknoir: Ha! Have you finally come to terms with your fate?
I guess...

Ray: G-Grovyle!
Alti!
What? What else do you have to say?

Dusknoir: We shall be rid of you for all time!
No...

This is the end... for you!
NOOO...


god this is SO not ending well

Ray: Urk...
Hey, Alti! Grovyle! You can’t give up!
I mean...

Grovyle: Gah... You say not to give up...?
But what can we possibly do in this bleak situation?
There’s got to be something... maybe?

Ray: We have to think!

oh Do u

Celebi! Can your time travel ability transport us just the short distance into the Passage of Time?

Ray, I don’t know if you recognized how monumentally stupid what you just said is, so I’ll leave you to think about it.
(Hint: Time travel != space travel.)

Celebi: It won’t be easy with Dialga here!
I mean, that’s true too.

Dialga is the Temporal Pokémon... It controls time itself!
Even if I can make us travel in time, he’ll have no trouble exposing it!
I mean. Yes??????


CELEBI CAN DO IT

Dusknoir: Attack!
Sableye: Wheh-heh-heh!

… that’s a terrible one-liner but go ahead.


There’s a bright flash, and then we are gone.

Sableye: Wheh-heh...?
Dusknoir: They v-v-vanished?
Master Dialga!

Well... shit


AUGH WHAT THE HELL

Dialga: GRRRR-OOOOO...OOOOOOH!

I don’t know what happened but that broken glass does not look good.


Oh.

OH.


AUGH NO

Ray: We almost made it to the Passage of Time!
Celebi: Dive in now! You can make it!
Now! Into the Passage of Time!
ALL RIGHT IF YOU SAY SO

Ray: Wh-what about you, Celebi?!
Celebi: Don’t fret over me! I told you I can’t be caught!
Stop the planet’s paralysis... Change history!
Grovyle: Thanks!
Ray: Thank you, Celebi!
Dusknoir: You’re not getting away!

yes we are


And Celebi disappears, leaving only this.

Dusknoir: Gah...

Again we go hurtling through time.

Next time: Did we make it back? What next?

24/525: 4.6%
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Heroic Troller

Through the Sea of Time
is a Tiering Contributoris a Tournament Director Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnus
World Defender
The partner is very very stupid, we can't deny that. However it develops during the story, i always thought our partner was a kid and the main charpter an adult or teenager at least, this is a partial explaination to his stupidity. Dusknoir was his very first hero, he could not accept the heavy truth and denied until now (as we do sometimes when people dies, we cry but we don't accept it in the very first place, we do later after some time).
It is boring watching your partner being unreasonable but at least it makes sense this way, so it's alright.
Last thing i don't feel like Dusknoir screwed up anything, he did what probably was the best thing to assure the win (eliminate the problems), we escaped yeah but it was A very lucky and B following that logic he should do nothing the entire game because as main charapters we are always winning when it matters most.
 
One plot hole I can't imderstand is how when the two main characters we're traveling with Grovyle/Celebi through Dusk Forest none of them said the main character's name (Alti).
 
Heroic Troller: Chatot calls both of them "kids" and implies they're young kids when they apply to the guild. I'm not sure if the player looks like a kid because of being in a new Pokémon body or is actually a kid (although I'd doubt that considering the player's partnership with Grovyle, who seems to be an adult, in the future). He seems a little more high-strung than the partner in MD1, though, which is kinda annoying, but at least he does get better. Slowly.
I generally agree with the assessment of Dusknoir's decision to kidnap the main characters lol. Too bad for him our dudes are smart and determined!
powergo1: You'd think they would have at some point, wouldn't you? I dunno, maybe Ray just didn't talk at all during the Dusk Forest adventure. Who knows?



that doesnt look like a dawn to me idk about you


I... think we made it back.
Looks familiar.


At least we’re alive? Maybe?

(This... This is...)
Ray: … Urk...

What’s it look like, eh? Familiar I’m sure.

Isn’t this... where I met you, Alti...?
I wonder if it’s coincidental that we ended up here both times. I mean, Grovyle didn’t, did he?

It’s like... that beach...
So that means... Could it be?
No, it is!

Probably!!
I mean, who knows how far in the past we are. We could be before your grandparents were ever conceived. What would we do then?

Side note: Grovyle and Celebi presumably had the ability to send Grovyle and Alti wherever they wanted. So why, then, did they go to a time where Temporal Tower was already collapsing? Seems to be cutting it a bit close, no?

We made it back to our world!
Again, probably!

Yes! We made it, Alti!

ur alive!!

Look! We made it home!
Well. Our home anyway. Ray’s home. Not really Grovyle’s or, technically, Alti’s.

Back to our world!
It’s the same world, just a different time.

Grovyle: So we did it...?
We made it through...
back to this world?
Yes, and we’re alive. Somehow.

Ray: Yes!
This is where I met Alti.
Let’s see...

Logically you have no reason to remember that so accurately but yes.

This was where I found Alti out cold.
Grovyle: So that’s what happened.
That trip through time sent me into the Eastern Forest.
Ok but why didn’t it send us there too. Come on now.

And Alti and I both reached your world far away from each other.
Ray: Oh, that’s right!

… WHAT
WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN
jesus ray what the hell is this

Will you please explain it to us?
Ray. Will you please explain it to Ray. Not me. I get it.

But this isn’t really the place to talk, so...
Let’s go to Wigglytuff’s Guild and talk there.
Before we went to the future, we trained and roomed there. It will be the perfect place!
Eh...

OK. Let’s go to Wigglytuff’s Guild.
Um...


I see Grovyle has some reservations. As well he should.

Will I be well received if I go to the guild?
After all, I’m a wanted outlaw in this world.
If I went to your guild... won’t everyone be shocked?
More than that, I wager. They’d try to kill you.

Don’t you think they’d try to capture me?
Or capture I guess

Ray: Urk! Come to think of it, you’re right... What to do...?
Oh, I know! There’s a good place.
WHERE’S a good place

But it will involve going through Treasure Town...
lol that’s a bad idea too

Grovyle: It shouldn’t be a problem if we lie low and sneak through.
Er. How do you propose we do that?

Lead the way.
… ok...?

Ray: OK. It’s this way.

WOW way to interrupt me


Oh, okay.
Usually I do the Special Episodes right after they are unlocked. Here, I’m going to wait til the postgame for... reasons. Mostly to preserve the narrative.


Huh. I remember seeing that, back at the beginning of the game.


… you don’t say

Grovyle: Sharpedo Bluff?
Ray: Yes. I think the name comes from the fact that the cliff itself is shaped like a Pokémon named Sharpedo.
REALLY

As far as I can tell... nothing seems out of the ordinary.
Compared to what though


HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS

I lived here before I joined the guild.
… oh, okay, I guess. Surprised no one else got here first.

Go ahead... go in.
Okay...


Oh wow, THIS is cool as hell.

Ray: Whew. I’m glad no one’s wrecked this place.
Surprisingly.

That’s proof for how little notice this place attracts.
Again. Surprisingly.

It may be better if we stay here for the time being.
I’ll say.

Grovyle: Agreed.

How nice to see the moon again after so long in darkness.


I never expected you to be that very same Alti...
Well, yeah. I’m a Totodile.

Alti: (…............)
Ray: Grovyle, can you tell us more about that?
Grovyle: Yes, Alti and I...
We were jointly investigating the planet’s paralysis.
Huh. I wonder how that alliance came to be. Could Alti-the-human speak Pokémon?

Ray: A Pokémon and a human... paired together?
Grovyle: Yeah.
And Alti had... or has... a special ability like no other.
The power of being the only (seemingly) human in the Pokémon world?

We relied on that special ability to investigate the planet’s paralysis.
It played a vital part.
Ray: By special ability... you mean the Dimensional Scream, don’t you?
Or that

Grovyle: Exactly.
But the Dimensional Scream has a drawback.
The Dimensional Scream requires the presence of a trusted Pokémon partner.
That’s an... odd requirement.

Without that partner, the ability cannot be triggered.
But why though

Ray: A trusted... partner...
SOUND FAMILIAR

Grovyle: That’s why we worked together.
The Dimensional Scream is set off by triggers tied to places where the Time Gears are hidden.
That’s also a... bizarre way of setting it up. What’s even the purpose?

We needed to find out where the Time Gears were in the past.
We needed the Dimensional Scream to accomplish that.
There were no records?
Wait, what even happened to the Time Gears when the planet was paralyzed? Did they just... vanish?

Ray: W-wait a second!
You said that there has to be a trusted partner nearby for the Dimensional Scream to work.
But the Dimensional Scream was being triggered not long after we met!
Grovyle: Your point?
… rekt.

Doesn’t that show you how much you two trusted each other from the start?
Ray: Urk! When you put it like that...
It’s a little embarrassing!
ooh~

Grovyle: In addition, Alti developed amnesia...
Upon meeting you, Ray, your partner had someone to turn to.
Perhaps Alti grew to trust you very quickly because of that.
Probably.

Ray: Oh! There’s another thing I don’t understand.
Just glossing over it I see

Is the Dimensional Scream triggered in response to only Time Gears?
Grovyle: Right. The opposite is also true. The Dimensional Scream is not triggered in places that aren’t connected to Time Gears.
W H Y

Ray: Hmm... really?
That’s not how I remember it...
unless Waterfall Cave or just Drowzee as a concept has a hidden Time Gear anyway.

Listen, Alti.
Do you remember that time it went off near Drowzee? And during out first exploration? And there were other times too!
… actually I think that was all.

We went to places that seem to have nothing to do with Time Gears.
But even in places like that, the Dimensional Scream was triggered sometimes, wasn’t it?

I don’t have an explanation.

The Dimensional Scream was never triggered by places that had no tie to Time Gears whatsoever.
… Well, if that’s true, I don’t know why it would work differently here.
Wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff?

Perhaps things are just different in this world.
Maybe.

Perhaps the nature of the Dimensional Scream is altered in the past.
Alti: (So in the future, the Dimensional Scream doesn’t work in places that have no connection to Time Gears?)
(Oh! That explains it!)
(Maybe that’s why... that time...)
(when we were in the future...)

Oh yeah, it didn’t work on this, did it.

[flashback to failed Dimensional Scream]


(Because we were in a place that wasn’t tied to any Time Gears!)
(Maybe that’s why my Dimensional Scream failed to work.)
Or maybe you just got unlucky lol

(Maybe Grovyle is right about the future and the past being different...)
There’s really no reason they should be, though.

(Or different enough to make my Dimensional Scream ability work differently.)
Grovyle: Anyway...
Like I was saying, we were investigating the planet’s paralysis.
We used the Dimensional Scream ability to...
identify the locations of the Time Gears in your world while we were in the future.

Here!
A Time Gear is here!
I see!
Place the Drought Stone in Groudon’s heart.
That lifts the fog!
Very well done! Good job, partner!

wait.
THAT WAS US. I WAS HEARING GROVYLE AND MYSELF THE WHOLE TIME


We took the Passage of Time.
That brought us from our world in your future to this world.
However...

A storm...? This sounds... familiar

Are... Are you OK?!
No! Don’t let go!
Just a little longer... Come on! Hang on!
N-n-no! I can’t... hold on...!
Right... that’s what started this whole game, isn’t it?


Thus Alti and I became separated.
Still doesn’t explain why we were on the beach this time tho.

For some reason, Alti got amnesia and was turned into a Pokémon.
That’s a pretty big “for some reason” lol

I can only guess that it had something to do with our accident while traveling in time.
Probably.

Alti: (….............)
(I... I came from the future...)
(And not just that! I came with the mission of preventing the planet’s paralysis.)
(I don’t know... It seems so outlandish... It doesn’t feel real, somehow...
Well, you do have amnesia.

Grovyle: So, Alti... You may not remember any of this, but...

; ; i’m gonna cry

I worried about you when we were separated. I’m glad to see you’re safe.
Your appearance may have changed... And though you have lost your memory... You’re still you.
And none of this alters the fact that you remain my friend.
Oh, Alti, I’m glad to see you again.
wahhhhh it’s so cute ; ; cryyying

Alti: (….........)
Grovyle: Now. We have to decide on our course of action.
Like I’ve told you before... I’m going to collect the Time Gears again.
What are you going to do?
What kinda question is that? We’re video game heroes, aren’t we?

Ray: Umm...
I’m a little worried about how time stops in the region where its Time Gear is removed.
But you’re sure that it will only be temporary?
Grovyle: That’s right. As soon as the Time Gears are set in place at Temporal Tower...
time will be restored to its normal state everywhere.
I sure hope that’s right!

Ray: Well then!
We’ll go too. We’ll go with you, Groyvle.
Taking a Time Gear will badly affect the Pokémon that live in that area...
I’m sure they’re used to it by now :B

But we have to prevent the planet’s paralysis!
Grovyle: OK, then. We’ll go together.
But the hour is late.
We’re also exhausted from all the running we’ve done.
Did we even sleep at all in that journey?

We should rest up tonight. We’ll leave in the morning.
All right. Good night!!!

Later in the night...


Surprising... where is he? (Please don’t tell me he went back to Wigglytuff’s Guild)

Maybe outside...?
I hope so.


Oh, hey.
… Wow, this is a lovely night.


Ray: Yes. Just thinking.
Grovyle: Thinking about Dusknoir?
Ray: No, that’s not it.
Sure, finding out we were being deceived came as a real shock.
As well it would for anyone, to be fair.

But hearing your story earlier, Grovyle...
It really drove it home. What Dusknoir said in the future was really true.
Which part? About Alti?

And it made me realize that Alti really did come from the future.
I guess so

I was mulling over things like that...

Eh?

Sunlight! It’s sunrise!
It is?


I’ll say. (those DS graphics aaaaa my heart ; ;)
Music: On the Beach at Dusk (above the beach at dawn?)

Grovyle: Yes.
Ray: Maybe it’s because we were in the future for so long...
But I didn’t think that a sunrise could ever be so renewing!
To be fair, that is a beautiful sunrise, even by sunrise standards.

The sun rises... Then it sets...
We take that for granted, and that’s only natural.
But things we take for granted...
They’re really the most essential things. And they’re precious.
Getting a little philosophical here, are we?
It’s fine. It’s such a poignant point to make.
I love this game so much.

Grovyle: All I’d ever known is the future’s world of darkness.
Upon coming to this world... And seeing the sun for the first time...
It was staggering.
I’m sure. The sun is really a beautiful thing when you stop to think about it.
(Side note: I’m lucky enough to live a few hours away from where the August eclipse’s path of totality was, so I skipped a day of school and went with my mom, my boyfriend – who was visiting from New York, not at all close to the path of totality – and two friends to a park to watch it. It’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen and really hammers home just how crazy the universe is.)

Seeing it... It strengthened by resolve to turn history away from a future of darkness.
I’m sure it did. I’m glad you want the sun and light and color back to the world, Grovyle.

There is one thing that I wanted to ask of you, Ray.
It’s about that time in the future...
… when we were confronted by Dialga...
Frankly, we were in a no-win situation. There was no hope.
I mean, it turned out okay, somehow, so it couldn’t have literally been no hope, eh?


This is the end... for you!
Sableye: Wheh-heh-heh!
Ray: Urk...
Hey, Alti! Grovyle! You can’t give up!
Grovyle: Gah... You say not to give up...?
But what can we possibly do in this bleak situation?
Ray: We have to think!

Even I had given up.
What compelled you?
How did you manage... to stay so strong?
He even out-stronged Grovyle who was more committed to his quest than Ray could have been at that point. That’s impressive.

Ray: Well... I wonder too.
I really don’t know...
But maybe...
Maybe it was because Alti stood by me.
Alti? Me?

Grovyle: Alti...?
Ray: Take a look at this.

Oh, hey. We haven’t seen the Relic Fragment in a while.

There’s an odd pattern inscribed on it.
I’ve never seen anything like it. This pattern is new to me...
Ray: This is my Relic Fragment. It’s my personal treasure.
I have this dream of one day solving the mystery behind this fragment.
But I was such a coward... I couldn’t work up the courage to go to the guild and apply as an apprentice.
Yeah how did you go from being a coward to being the strongest of all of us... standing up to Dusknoir and Dialga like that

It was then... that I met Alti.
Alti...

I’m putting my faith in you, Alti!
Yes! I totally believe in you, Alti!

That’s pretty sweet :33


Oh, yeah, we did fight a Groudon didn’t we

Ray: Urk... This is scary...
But we need to be brave!
And I need to face up to this!
There’s no giving up now, Alti!

With Alti, I felt like I could overcome any challenge.
; ; so sweet

That’s how I came to feel over time.
Maybe that’s why I was able to keep going without giving up!
Grovyle: … All right.
I think I understand what you’re saying.
Yes, Alti has a special quality that makes others feel that way.[/quote]
… I do?

The same way that I care for Alti as a friend...
You, Ray, also feel that same way about Alti.
I’m glad that so many people feel so strongly about me?


Questionable ellipses. What do you think they mean? Feel free to tell me your thoughts, I’ve got my own thoughts and I want to know other points of view :o

Grovyle: Well, it’s morning.
We should be leaving soon.
Yeah... probably.

Ray: Yes.



Yup! it’s time to Go

First... We have to decide which Time Gear we should target.
Let’s check the Wonder Map.

You know, being on the edge of the sea like this can’t lend itself well to exploration missions, can it.

Grovyle: How about Treeshroud Forest? This was where I got my first Time Gear the last time.
Way to just ignore Ray I guess

Ray: Where is that?
Grovyle: Here.

That’s like, as far away as Mt. Blaze was in MD1. But I bet we’re going to get there immediately through the power of video game fast-travel.

There is no one like Uxie guarding that Time Gear.
Seems like an oversight.

Oh, great!
If we were to fight someone over a Time Gear, that would attract attention.
We’re going to have to eventually though, right?

But that won’t be a concern here, right?
yes we’ve established this

Grovyle: Exactly.

That’s where we’re going! Onward to Treeshroud Forest!
Let’s go!


That’s a forest all right.

Oh?
Ray: What is it, Grovyle?
Grovyle: The atmosphere somehow feels different than last time.
It does?

No. I must be imagining it.
You’re never imagining these things.

We’ll go in when you’re ready.
All right.

After preparing...

And we head in.


Music: Treeshroud Forest
A pretty interesting track. I suggest giving it a listen.

We can’t recruit anything now, but we will be able to later. This dungeon has Kadabra, Ralts, Cherrim, Houndoom, Ninetales, Alakazam, Kirlia, and Vespiquen. An interesting assortment of forest-y Pokémon (Cherrim, Vespiquen) and then... Psychic and Fire types? All right.


Well hello. I’m still holding on to all the money from the future dungeons so I like the look of those Gummis lmao


Houndoom has Flash Fire so it’s actually immune to Fire-type attacks, which can be problematic if you have a Fire starter/partner lol


iirc in this game, just like Rescue Team, Kadabra are always sleeping when they spawn.


AUGH SHIT. Grovyle get your fat ass in here and help lmao


I made it! Barely. Without Grovyle’s help though >:( his level 46 stats could have been useful but No


~oooOOooo water~


After 20 floors (the longest dungeon thus far), we end up in Deep Treeshroud Forest. Something seems to be weird here though...


Uh... This looks a bit familiar.

Grovyle: Time... is at a standstill here!
Wait, what? I thought the Time Gears were back!

Ray: But didn’t they...?
Just before we were dragged off to the future with you, Grovyle...

I entrust you with the rest.
Azelf: Yep.
Mesprit: We know.
Uxie: We got the Time Gears back.
And we will make sure they’re returned to their rightful places.
Dusknoir: The task is yours.
YEAH THAT
WHAT THEY SAID


That they would return the Time Gears to their rightful places?
YES THEY DID

Grovyle: But time remains stopped here...
Ray: That could mean...
The Time Gears may not have been returned to their rightful places yet.
Where are we anyway? Like, what time? Did we return to two minutes or two years after Dusknoir took us to the future??

Grovyle: We’ll see about that. The forest’s Time Gear was over here.

… that’s a Time Gear.

Grovyle: It’s a Time Gear. There’s no mistaking it.
Ray: But...
Time here seems to be stopped.
yes we have established this

No wind is blowing...

thats fuckin WEIRD man

Time is stopped here!
But the Time Gear has been returned to its rightful place... Why is this happening?!
We all have questions

Grovyle: …...............

Narration: Grovyle took the Time Gear!

The forest got even darker as a result.
Also Ray what do you mean ‘what are you doing’, did you FORGET WHY WE ARE HERE

Grovyle: Time has already stopped here.
It won’t make any difference if I take the Time Gear now.
also THAT IS THE QUEST!!!!

There’s also... something that’s more worrying.
Ray: M-more worrying?
Grovyle: Forget it. Let’s leave.
Also, Ray... There’s something I’d like you to do.
Ray: What is it?
Grovyle: Before you go back to Sharpedo Bluff...
I’d like you to gather some information in Treasure Town.
Ray: In Treasure Town?
that’s what he SAID isn’t it

Grovyle: Yes, here’s what I want you to find out.
Learn everything you can about what’s happening in this world right now.
Ray: OK. I’ll go find out.
Grovyle: Everyone thinks that you’ve gone to the future. Therefore...
How do you know that. Do you even know when we are??

Ray: Yes, I understand. If they found out I’m back, there would be an uproar. I’ll keep low and get some news.
Grovyle: I’m counting on you.
So they leave.

Later...


Well good. Give us the deets.

Grovyle: What’s the word?
Ray: The word is... not very good.
Music

After we went to the future...
Uxie and his friends returned the Time Gears to their rightful places.
Everyone was happy because they thought time would return to normal.
Yeah, I mean, that’s kind of the assumption.

But the time remained stopped in those places.
>the time

Even worse, it’s spreading. Time is stopping in more places.
Well... shit. That’s unfortunate.

Grovyle: Is that true?
Ray: Yes. Everyone’s upset and concerned because no one can figure out what the problem is.
Not even Uxie and co? Some guardians they turned out to be.

Grovyle, do you know what this means?
Grovyle: …...............
If time is stopping in a spreading area... it can only mean one thing.
Temporal Tower is starting to collapse.
Er... wasn’t it already collapsing???

Ray: Temporal Tower is... collapsing?
Grovyle: Correct. Temporal Tower gives structure to time. So if it is starting to collapse...
time itself will collapse in ever-widening areas.
That seems metaphysically impossible but okay.

This is bad. The problem is accelerating.
The planet’s paralysis is coming on fast.
Well... shit, it’s time to GO!

Ray: What?! But...
We have to hurry, then!
Yeah no kidding!

Grovyle: That’s right. If we don’t hurry, the planet will become fully paralyzed.
There’s only one way to stop the destruction of time now.
… does this imply there was another way before????

We need to gather Time Gears...
Then the Time Gears must be put in place in Temporal Tower where Dialga lives.
But there is a problem.
Temporal Tower is located in a place called the Hidden Land.
As the name suggests... no one knows where the Hidden Land is.
I have to admit that’s kind of a fabulous name though.

Ray: But... there isn’t any time!
yeah it’s all stopped

Grovyle: That’s right. That’s why I think we need to split up for now.
I’ll go collect the Time Gears.
In the meantime, I want you two to search for the Hidden Land.
HOW WE GON’ FIND IT IF IT’S HIDDEN MANG

Ray: Understood.
Is that OK, Alti?
Yeah dude why not

Grovyle: OK then. You’re in charge.
The Hidden Land is supposedly somewhere in this world.
… thanks.

Unfortunately, there are no clues as to where it is exactly.
Again. Thanks.

Considering that no one has discovered it yet...
We should probably assume that it is quite far away.
I mean. I guess?

We must even consider crossing the sea. And discover the means to do so!
Do y’all not have boats?
Also: Water type here

Ray: Cross the sea...
Grovyle: I’m sorry I don’t have knowledge about how to do that. I’m counting on you.
Well, I’ll be off to gather the Time Gears. Good luck.

bye

We should go searching too. Let’s find the Hidden Land!
it Time


what

So... where shall we begin looking?

This sucks already

Umm...
For the time being, why don’t we consider how we can cross the sea?

I guess

Ray: Well, we just happen to be here at the beach, so...
…...............
This is going SO well.

Hmm... This is hopeless.
A way of crossing the sea... I’m not coming up with anything.
boats
boats are cool

..................
I agreed to search for the Hidden Land, but...
Where do you suppose we should start looking?
And there’s no time! Ugh!
Yeah we’re really kinda screwed here huh.

Alti: (It’s true. We’ve got too little information to go on.)
(And we have no time to waste.)
(We have to locate the Hidden Land as soon as possible.)
(We have to find Temporal Tower, then put the Time Gears inside it...)
(If we fail to do that, our planet will become paralyzed.)
Then we just seek out Celebi and try again?

(We have to stop that, whatever it takes.)
(And to do that, well... we have no choice!)
(We need everyone’s help.)
does “everyone” refer to my ASSORTMENT OF TEAMMATES or not tho

(That’s it. I’ll tell Ray.)

Looks like we need to head back to the guild.

What?! You want to go to Wigglytuff’s Guild?!
Wh-why?!
We disappeared in front of everyone, remember?
… so?

Well, yes, I think everyone would be really worried about us...
And I miss everyone too...
But everything we saw in the future...
everything about Grovyle... and about Dusknoir...
and even about your past, Alti... If we tell it all to the guild...
How can they believe us?!
Because we’re not known for lying?

What do you think, Alti?

THEY’LL BELIEVE IN THE ME WHO BELIEVES IN YOU
OR SOMETHING

You think they’ll believe us!
DOESN’T REALLY MATTER RAY WE DON’T HAVE A CHOICE

Well... You say that, Alti, but...
Is there a chance they’ll believe us?
Just shut up and let’s go already.

After all, everyone in this world is convinced that Grovyle is the villain.
And they think Dusknoir is a really good Pokémon, don’t they?
sound familiar

Everyone especially thinks highly of Dusknoir.
He kidnapped us though. They all saw that.

I saw the future... But I still didn’t want to believe the truth about Dusknoir.
Even if we were to tell everyone the truth, I wonder if they would be able to accept it.
WE
DONT
HAVE
A
CHOICE

Alti: (…............)
(It’s true.)
(What Ray is saying is true.)
(Maybe no one will believe us if we tell them the truth.)
(But...!)
Ray: … What?! We should tell them anyway?
YES

oh my GOD

They might not believe us, right?
STOP
TALKING


… good dialogue choices there


FINALLY

Everyone’s help...
Music: On the Beach at Dusk

… I understand. We can’t find the Hidden Land on our own.
Yeah.

We do need everyone’s help.
If we don’t get their help... We’ll run out of time to prevent the planet’s paralysis.
…..............
Alti...
OK, you’re right! Let’s go home to Wigglytuff’s Guild!
Alti: (Ray!)
Ray: Let’s go back to the guild and tell everyone the truth!
I’m sure that everyone will be shocked.
But... I’m certain they’ll understand!
Let’s go home, Alti!
Back to Wigglytuff’s Guild!


Next time: How will the guild meeting go?

24/525: 4.6%
Caterpie (Xander)
Butterfree (Papillon)
Weedle (Bean)
Beedrill (Bumble)
Sandshrew (Simon)
Machop (Jon)
Rhyhorn (Cake)
Tangela (DayumBoy)
Spinarak (Catallia)
Mareep (C3PO)
Hoppip (Alma)
Elekid (Firegg)
Larvitar (Savannah)
Lotad (Orchid)
Nincada (Illinois)
Electrike (Direction)
Minun (Negative)
Barboach (Dojo)
Beldum (Nickel)
Starly (Merel)
Budew (Sprout)
Combee (Hexa)
Glameow (Smudge)
Hippopotas (Duke)
 
The game explains very little about the ability, but my thought was always that the Dimensional Scream is tied to the flow/passing of time. In the past it can work for most anything because time is moving normally in most places, whereas in the future, remnants of the time gears are the only real vestige of "real" time left in the world (maybe that has some connection to Celebi or why not literally everything is frozen), so they're the only thing the D.S. (haha) responds to.
 
pika pal: Honestly that is the exact same reasoning I came up with, I just didn't say it because I thought it might be a stretch, but your post (and its three likes) seem to indicate I'm not alone in thinking that makes sense haha



I like that we have to get the guild’s help to fix things. I’m glad we bring them back into relevance even after the focus of the plot shifts.


And now it’s suddenly sunset. All right

It feels as if we were gone a long time.
How long we were in the future anyway? Like how many days. That’s one of the problem with the way the away-from-base arcs are set up, they really don’t have a sense of time associated with it.

But...
Now that we’re here, it’s kind of awkward to go in.
I guess we did just kind of... vanish on them. And now we’re back and have been back without saying anything to them.

After all, we were suddenly taken away in front of everyone...
Yeah what he said.

It would be sort of strange to suddenly show up.
No. We can’t be acting all bashful now.
We’re out of options so

We have to see everyone and tell them the truth.
OK.
I’ll stand above the sentry post.
It seems like a big effort to put the gate down and up for literally anyone that wants to enter the guild tbh especially seeing how our own members come and go all the time


Looks familiar

Loudred: Whose footprint? Whose footprint?
Diglett: The footprint belongs to...
The f-f-footprint belongs to...
Er...?

Loudred: What’s wrong, Diglett?! Respond! Respond!
What...? HEY, Diglett!
Where do you think you’re burrowing off to?
How can you tell he’s doing that? Isn’t he situation in like a place Loudred probably can’t see?

Diglett: That... That footprint...

Well, I guess that confirms that we went back to a time after Alti and Ray joined the guild at least.

Bidoof: What...?
Sunflora: Wha...?
Everyone: WHAT?!

Well hi

And Alti too!
Ray: Diglett! Long time no see!
Ray for god’s sake we could just as well be appearing before we ever went to the future. Like they could be coming to see us because THERE’S APPARENTLY TWO RAYS. Don’t make things even weirder by acting like we haven’t even been here in a while.

The ground starts rumbling.
Ray: Waah! What is that?!

And we get accosted.

Sunflora: Oh my gosh! It really is Alti and Ray!
Loudred: You’re both ALIVE!
I guess that confirms we are back after we disappeared to the future.

Chimecho: We worried so much about you!
Bidoof: I... I... I was... by golly!
Good sentence there

Ray: E-everyone... We’re home...
Home at last!


Wigglytuff and Chatot show up too.

Wigglytuff: Welcome home! ♪ Ray! ♪ Alti! ♪
And then we cut to Inside. I guess that was it.


Music: Wigglytuff’s Guild Remix
Just... just hold on for a moment.
Let me get this story straight!
Ray: OK...
Chatot: Ahem! Let me summarize your story so far...
First... Grovyle is actually a good Pokémon...?
Wait, that’s what we chose to lead off with?? I feel like there are better ways to approach this delicate topic

And he was collecting the Time Gears to save the world?
Ray: Yes.
Chatot: And the great Dusknoir only pretended to be kind and helpful...?
Eh, kindness is performative, he was genuinely helpful when he was here in the past to be fair. He did save our lives from the Manectric tribe.

But he was actually a heinous and wicked villain?
Harsh words but yeah

Ray: Yes... though I didn’t really phrase it as “heinous and wicked”...
lol

Chatot: Also, Alti was really Grovyle’s partner?
Did anyone even know I had amnesia and thought I was a human to begin with?

Ray: Yes.
Chatot: So Dusknoir wanted to get rid of both Alti and Grovyle...?
So he took them to the future?
And Ray was along for the ride I guess.

Ray: Yes. And me too.
You watched that happen.

Chatot: Then you managed to escape from Dusknoir by the skin of your teeth...?
And you barely made it back home from the future?
We’re here now, right? Lol

Ray: Yes.
Chatot: And, finally, this planet will soon become paralyzed... and to prevent that...
Grovyle has started gathering Time Gears again?
yes and Don’t Fucking Stop Him

Meanwhile, you two are looking for a place called the Hidden Land? Is that your story in its full entirety?!
Yeah pretty much.

Ray: Yes. That’s all of it!
Chatot: …..................
… yes, chatot?


Why

Ray and Alti...
You must have had a bad dream or something!
What
YOU SAW US GET KIDNAPPED
EXPLAIN THAT

Ray: What?!
Chatot: Why don’t you two just go to your room and get some rest! ♪
Why don’t you just stop gaslighting me! ♪

Ray: What? Wait a second!
You think we’re lying?
Yes because Chatot is ass

What we just told you is all true.
Chatot: I’m sure... I’m sure... ♪

I hate this so much

A good nap will fix that! ♪
NO

Ray: That’s not it, Chatot! Seriously, we’re telling you the truth!

Wow holy shit way to be a dick

So tell me! Is there any part of your story that’s even remotely plausible?
The part where you watched us get kidnapped?

A place called the Hidden Land?!
I’m the head of intelligence here, and I’ve heard of no such place.
Yeah.
It’s hidden.

Besides, the great Dusknoir is far too kind to do anything like you’ve alleged!
Yeah.
He was lying.

Ray: Well, yes, I couldn’t believe the truth about Dusknoir either...
It came as a huge shock. And it was really hard to accept.
But...!
Chatot: I’ll hear no more of this!
STOP
PLEASE

I don’t care what you say! The great Dusknoir, the villain?!
WHO WOULD YOU RATHER BELIEVE?? HUH?

That’s simply unbelievable!

You can appeal to the guild all you want, it won’t change anything

Dugtrio: We hold Dusknoir in high esteem.
We cannot believe it.
Egh...

Chatot: See?! See?!
See? Everyone shares the same opinion!
Dugtrio is not “everyone” but okay.

Sunflora: But...
Chatot: Hm? What is it, Sunflora?
There is something I don’t understand.
That time...
when the great Dusknoir was about to return to the future...

Oh.
Yeah. When we got KIDNAPPED.

Sunflora: What Dusknoir did then...
Music

It was strange, any way you look at it...
If we’re lying EXPLAIN THE KIDNAPPING.

Chatot: Really? Do you think so?

ARE YOU SERIOUS
WE DID NOT ALMOST DIE FOR THIS RESULT

Loudred: NO WAY!
Dusknoir grabbed Ray and Alti! And YANKED them in!
Thank you Loudred!

Corphish: Hey, hey! That’s right! It looked that way to me too!
Hey, hey! What happened was really weird!
Bidoof: Gosh, I really had to wonder why Dusknoir did something like that!
Even Bidoof gets it

Chimecho: If... If what Ray said is true...
Then what Dusknoir did suddenly makes perfect sense!

Shut up Chatot and learn when you’re beaten.

So is that what you think now?
Are you actually saying that you now believe what Ray and Alti are claiming?!

… maybe?

Chatot: Well, what’s your answer?

aaaaa ; ;
Music

Chatot: What?! What did you say?!
So, Bidoof, you’re now claiming that the great Dusknoir is a villain?
Bidoof: Oof! Golly, I surely did think highly of the great Dusknoir.
The whole idea sounds troubling when you put it that way.
don’t waver bidoof don’t waver

But there’s something more important here!

AAAAAAAAA ; ;

That’s why... I believe what Alti and Ray have to say!
Chatot: Wh-wh-what!
Ray: B-Bidoof!
Corphish: Hey, hey! I believe too!
Sunflora: Me too! Oh my gosh! They’re our guild colleagues, after all!
this is so great ; ;

Ray: Oh, Corphish! And Sunflora!
Loudred: I believe them!
Diglett: Me too!
Chimecho: So do I!
It’s just a cascade now it’s Great

Dugtrio: Casting doubt on our colleagues is wrong! Trust is a must!
Shut up you didn’t believe us 2 seconds ago. Bandwagoner.

Chatot: Squawk!
Ray: Urf... Thank you, everyone...
Thank you... for believing us!

Oh hey you’re here too. Well thanks for speaking up?

Sounds like we all agree! ♪
Er

Everyone: HUH?!
I like how everyone is confused.

Wigglytuff: We all believe our friends! That’s great! ♪
So I guess you do too then...?

Then let’s begin searching for the Hidden Land!
Loudred: Whoa! Just hold ON there, Guildmaster!
Wigglytuff: Hm? What’s wrong?
Loudred: We’re not ALL in agreement yet, are we!
Wigglytuff: Huh?
Loudred: We’re all good with the story...
But I suspect that Chatot isn’t convinced.
… you don’t say.

Wigglytuff: Oh? Is that all? ♪
You don’t need to worry about Chatot.
We don’t?

Everyone: HUH?!
Wigglytuff: Chatot is convinced... right?
Everyone: HUH?!
Yeah I’m confused too. He seemed angry at us ffs


Uh
Okay???????

Right, Chatot? ♪

… uhhhhh

Hee-heeee!
Loudred: WH-WHAT?
Sunflora: How peculiar!
Chatot: Well, Guildmaster, there’s no fooling you. I admit it.

I don’t know if I believe you

Everyone: HUH? REALLY?!
Chatot: But if I would have said that I believed them right away...
Everyone would have just gone along with what I said.
… isn’t that preferable??? So we don’t waste valuable time ruining our self esteem?

Loudred: … What’s all this...?
Chatot: That’s why I was so contrary!
if you say so.

I wanted to put your friendship to the test!
BUT WHY THOUGH

Bidoof: … Gosh, likely story...
Chatot: But without a doubt, I was convinced from the get-go!
ok

I knew everyone... would surely believe their colleagues! ♪
ok chatot.

Sunflora: … Says you...
Chatot: Hee! Hee-heeee!

hi

I believe you! You’re my good friends in guild membership! ♪
Well you’re better than Chatot it seems.

Now listen, everyone!
Music: Wigglytuff’s Guild

Time is stopping in more and more places.
From Ray’s story...
We know our world is in danger.
That means we have to do something! ♪
Yes. Yes it does.

This is our time.
In the name of Wigglytuff’s Guild...
We’ll combine all our efforts!
YEAH LETS GO

We’ll discover the Hidden Land!
Let’s do this, everyone!

YEAH

Wigglytuff: Chatot!
Chatot: Y-yes, sir.
OK, everyone!
From now on, we’re shifting all efforts to locating the Hidden Land!
Excellent!

We also have to let everyone know what is happening in our world.
It’s going to get busy. We’ll all have to work hard!
Loudred: I sure will!
Bidoof: I’ll putter down to Treasure Town!
I’ll get the word out, by golly!
Diglett: I’ll go too!
Sunflora: We have to let Azelf and his friends know too!
Oh. Right. So Grovyle can get their Time Gears.

If they’re back at their lakes, they may try to stop Grovyle!
Right yeah.

Corphish: Hey, hey! Then I’ll go tell them!
Chatot: OK. Everyone else, search for the Hidden Land, please.
Loudred: YEAH!
Chatot: Bidoof, Sunflora, and others, once your errands are done, gather information on the Hidden Land.
Bidoof: Yes, sir!
Sunflora: We’ll hurry!
u Better

Wigglytuff: We’ll find the Hidden Land together!

Everyone: HOORAY!
Loudred: All right! Let’s show some guts!
Corphish: Hey, hey, hey!

But maybe... the wise Torkoal, the town elder, may know something.
How convenient!

Ray: Torkoal, the town elder?
Chatot: That would be the wisest and oldest Pokémon of Treasure Town.
He loves the Hot Spring, so he’s always there.
Is that healthy? Both because fire type and hot water

In fact, I’m positive that you’ll find him at the Hot Spring! ♪
Ray: Oh! I remember!
Yeah, we got blasted to the Hot Spring, didn’t we


Right. This.


Wigglytuff: You should put his years of wisdom to use! ♪
Sounds good to me!

Go ask Torkoal for advice! ♪
Ray: The first time we went to the Hot Spring, we had to get there through Waterfall Cave, Alti.
… but do we really have to get there through Waterfall Cave again? isn’t there another way to get there? I mean, how do all those other Pokémon get there?

Let’s go! Onward to the Hot Spring!

What

It’s getting late. And besides...
You must be hungry!
Did we even eat in the future?

Ray: Huh?
My stomach growled!
Ha ha! Yours did too!
Chimecho: You should have dinner. Then get a good night’s sleep.
Sounds good to me!

We can all get to work tomorrow!
Ray: Hey, Alti’s belly growled... again!
stop laughing dammit!!!!!!!!!!

Loudred: Ho-ho! Did everyone hear THAT?
What a laugh, Alti! Letting your belly bark back at Chimecho, eh?
I AM HUNGRY LET ME EAT

Everyone: HA HA HA!
:(


Nice to be back.


moon’s still full of course


It feels as though I’m finally home.
You know... I’m glad everyone came to believe our story.
Me too, Ray. Me too.

It made me a little choked up!
Let’s go meet Torkoal tomorrow and talk with him.
Let’s get back at it tomorrow, Alti!
Yeah!

The next morning...


Everyone’s aware of their duties today?
Bidoof: By golly, yes!
Sunflora: I’m all ready to go!
Chatot: Good!
Those of you investigating the Hidden Land...
And those of you spreading the word about the true state of affairs...
I expect you to organize your teams accordingly and get going!
He’s leaving them to choose the teams? All right.

Let’s get right to it, everyone!
Everyone: HOORAY!
They all head off. Meanwhile...


Yea what he said.

I think we had to go through Waterfall Cave to get to the Hot Spring.
>think

So let’s make our way toward the Hot Spring!
YEAH


Looks like we’re going to Waterfall Cave lol


In the process, we get our first recruit in a long time.
Named BetoBeto because... uh... that was a suggestion from forever ago?


And another. Named Axol.


And after the standard 8 floors we end up at the Hot Spring again... with our friends, how convenient!


Uh. Maybe??

... Oh? Not so?
I see... You seek my wisdom.
Yeah p much.

Well, there’s no better place than this to share your story!
Fair enough. It’s lovely here.


Yeah man ever heard of it?

I have heard of it.
OH HEY

Ray: Oh, really?!
Torkoal: The Hidden Land is truly a place of legend...
Yeah I would imagine so. But it must be reality or else we’re kinda screwed.

It is tattered lore at best, handed down by oral tradition...
Whose tradition. Where does it come from???

Ray: No matter! Please tell us!
Torkoal: Of course. I can tell you only what I have heard.
Uh well yeah that’s kinda true of anyone who tells a legend????

The Hidden Land lies beyond the sea... in a hidden place, so the story goes.
Music

… yeah. It’s called the Hidden Land.

Ray: A hidden place?
Torkoal: Yes.
The Hidden Land allows only the chosen to find it.
Well. How are we ever supposed to find it then.

To go there, one must possess certain qualities.
LIKE WHAT

Ray: Oh... A place that only someone with proper qualifications can go to...
racist

OK, Torkoal. What are those qualifications?
A PURE HEART, A STRONG WILL A-

They are...


oh.
well.
Okay.

Torkoal: I’m sorry. It’s slipped my mind.
Great well we’re screwed.

Ray: Oh, no! You’ve forgotten?!
Please, Torkoal! Please remember!
I don’t think just saying “please remember” is going to be the solution here Ray

This is really important.
Torkoal: That’s easy for you to say, but... Er... um...
exactly RAY


proof??

You needed proof of some sort... Yes, that was it. Proof.
WHAT KIND OF PROOF
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT

Ray: Proof? What kind of proof?
thank

Torkoal: That would be...

Oh god no

Forgive me. I’ve forgotten again.
noooooooo

Ray: What? You can’t remember?!
Is this really new?

Torkoal: I... I’m sorry to disappoint you.
u Should be

Ray: Ugh, all right. Can you recall anything else at all?
Torkoal: … No. That’s all.
well all right then.

Torkoal: Forgive me, youngsters. If I recall what proof you need, I’ll be sure to let you know.
Sounds good but I don’t expect much.

Ray: Yes, please. Thank you, Torkoal.
you sound dejected

We should go back to the guild, Alti.
All right I guess

Back at the guild...


Sadly.

Chatot: That’s too bad...
Wigglytuff: Oh! That’s not entirely true!
… it isn’t??

We know that we need proof! And knowing that is a step forward! ♪
… if you say so?

Right? ♪
Maybe???

Corphish: Hey, hey! We’re searching too...
Loudred: Yeah, but we didn’t find anything.
Well yeah. You need proof. We have established this.

Bidoof: But... there’s no giving up! We have to keep trying, by golly!
The world will die if we don’t so yeah.

Diglett: I’ll keep trying too!
Sunflora: We should have dinner and rest up for the night.
All right... fair.

We’ll resume our efforts tomorrow!
Ray: Oh, well... Thanks, everyone!
So we eat dinner. That night...


You can’t expect immediate success, Ray.

When we talked with Torkoal, I started thinking we had a hope!
We kind of do...!

Ray: …...............
I wonder how Grovyle is doing?
Has he gathered the Time Gears?
It’s been one day, it takes a long time to get from place to place Ray

We need to hurry too!
But there’s no point in getting all flustered.
Especially since everyone else is helping out.
Exactly!

We should get some sleep... then start with fresh resolve tomorrow!
Sounds good!

OK, Alti. Good night.
The next day...


The Hidden Land remains shrouded in mystery...
Yeah this is kinda... ass.

But we’re not giving up!
Everyone: HOORAY!
that was. All right

Chatot: Let’s get out there and investigate again today!
Let’s go, everyone!
Everyone: HOORAY!

So they all head out, except we stick around.

But we’ve already talked to Torkoal.
yeah that was our only lead lmao

We’re out of leads.
… Yeah, what he said


WHO DAT

Loudred: Whose footprint? Whose footprint?
Diglett: The footprint belongs to... Torkoal, the town elder!
The footprint belongs to Torkoal, the town elder!
Oh hey!! All right. This is good. Maybe. We’ll see.

Ray: What? Torkoal is here?

… did it take you all night?

Music: Wigglytuff’s Guild Remix

Huff-huff... Climbing up to this guild is hard on these old bones.
oh okay.

Ray: What brings you hear, Torkoal?
Did you... maybe remember something?
Torkoal: Indeed, I did. But I’ve recalled only one more tiny thing, sorry to say...
Anything helps!!!

Yesterday, I contemplated the waters of the Hot Spring for a long time. Finally, one recollection surfaced.
But... it really is something small.
I worry if it would be even worthwhile sharing with you.
Just tell us alreadyyyy

Wigglytuff: Not a worry! ♪
exactly thank u Wigglytuff

Every little bit of information helps! However small! ♪
so Tell Us

Please, say it! Say it! ♪
Torkoal: When we spoke of travel to the Hidden Land yesterday... I said that you needed proof of your qualification to go there.
]
Yes, yes you did.

I remembered a bit more about that proof.
!!!


A certain pattern, huh...

Ray: A certain pattern?
Corphish: Hey, hey! So what kind of pattern would that be?
… can Torkoal even, like, describe a pattern

Torkoal: Er... How can I describe it?
yeah what he said

It’s difficult to describe it...
But I can tell you that the pattern is quite intricate and odd.
You don’t say.

It’s a peculiar pattern. The kind of pattern you rarely see.
… what the hell is that supposed to mean. The kind of pattern you rarely see??? how would you like. Quantify that

Bidoof: A pattern you rarely see... Golly!
Loudred: You’d think I could think of something!
well if you rarely see it how could you visualize it???

Sunflora: But trying to think of such a thing! It’s not easy when one tries!
I don’t understand any of this dialogue @_@

Chimecho: Hmm... what could it be...?
Alti: (…............)
(The kind of pattern you rarely see...)
Sound familiar Alti?

(What could a pattern like that look like...?)
(A pattern you rarely see... A peculiar...)

Sounds like you figured it out

(A peculiar pattern! I remember that time...)

Yyyyyup.

I admit that it looks like junk, but take a closer look.

I’d say it qualifies as a rarely-seen pattern.

Alti: (It’s true. There is a strange inscription.)
(I’ve never seen a pattern like this.)

:o!

(The Relic Fragment was inscribed with a peculiar pattern!)
Ray: Hm? What is it, Alti?
What? My Relic Fragment?
Oh, right! That pattern!

… how would you recognize it??? but okay

It’s a pattern exactly like this!
Everyone: WHAT?!
Torkoal: Where... where did you get this?
Ray: Well, I’m not sure if I can remember.
If it’s so important to you why wouldn’t you remember...????

I just happened to pick it up.
Sunflora: Yippee! This is fabulous!
Since Ray has this... Does it mean...
That Ray is qualified to go to the Hidden Land?
I assume that would be the point...?

Torkoal: That, I wouldn’t know. Maybe yes, maybe no.
wat

To go to the Hidden Land, one must surely possess that proof.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the bearer of the proof really possesses the qualifications to be... chosen.
THEN WHAT WOULD IT MEAN???

That proof may be merely the physical key to the Hidden Land.
greaaaaaaaat

Even before that, though, this shares the same inscribed pattern...
There’s no sure connection between this Relic Fragment and the Hidden Land.
oh my god stop this is the least helpful thing ever

Wigglytuff: Oh! But...! There’s no question that this pattern has something to do with the Hidden Land?
well if the pattern is related but the Relic Fragment isn’t then WHAT WOULD IT BE FOR

Knowing only that is a lot! ♪
I guess?

Torkoal: I suppose so...
Wait... You do realize that the Hidden Land is only a spoken legend, right?
BUT
BUT
BUT THE PATTERN!!!

You’re surely not trying to find the Hidden Land?
Wigglytuff: Yes! We are! ♪
lol you’re so chipper

Torkoal: My goodness! What a surprise!
Wigglytuff: Chatot.

WHAT

Everyone: WHAT?!
Chatot: Y-yes...
The sea inlet to the northwest...
Inside Brine Cave...
But, Guildmaster! That place...!


bandit...?

Sunflora: A vicious...
Bidoof: Bandit? By golly!
Wigglytuff: Everyone, please listen.

I think we can discover more by taking the Relic Fragment there.
Huh. Sounds good.

However, there is one problem.
A Pokémon lurks there who is a vicious bandit.
Well dang I guess no Hidden Land for us

Corphish: Hey, hey! We’re not about to let that scare us!
Loudred: Aren’t we explorers?
Sunflora: We all need to be brave!
Sure I guess. WE CAN DO IT

Wigglytuff: Thanks, everyone! ♪
But that place is challenging. Everyone should take time today to get ready.
We’ll set off for Brine Cave tomorrow!
All right.

Everyone: HOORAY!

Getting old has made my thinking so inflexible. That’s very sad.
This all makes me remember the days when I dreamt of romance and adventure!
Help me see my dreams again! Do your best! Ho-ho-ho!
that’s rather sweet :’)


Wigglytuff: Thank you, Torkoal!
Torkoal: Oh, it was nothing. Ho-ho-ho!
Bye


OK! Dismissed!
Everyone: HOORAY!
Bidoof: Yup yup! We’ll get ready, by golly!
Sunflora: Oh my gosh! This will be so exciting!
So everyone heads off.
However...


Chatot, you stay at the guild tomorrow on standby. ♪
Chatot: G-Guildmaster! Forgive me if I’m out of line, but...
Please, let me go to Brine Cave!
Wow, he’s really quite emphatic about this.

Wigglytuff: Nope! I can’t let you face danger like that ever again.
how sweet...

Chatot: But that’s why! That’s why I must go!
Please, take me to Brine Cave!
Wigglytuff: … OK.
You capitulated quickly

Then I want you to go with Team Hurricane tomorrow.
Guide Alti’s team to the place where we saw that strange pattern.
But I want you to be careful.
Chatot: Thank you! I won’t let you down!
how sweeeeet :3

Wigglytuff: Another thing... I have something I need to do, so I have to go out.
You’re in charge while I’m gone.
Chatot: As you wish.

All right.

As such, Team Hurricane’s nonguild members may not come along.
… :( but

Brine Cave has a vicious foe lying in wait. You mustn’t let down your guard!
All right!

And don’t do anything that keeps me from succeeding there!
chatot..........

Ray: Urk! OK.
Alti!
Let’s go get ready.
Let’s go to Treasure Town.
All right!

We leave the guild, and see...


Oh, uh, hi.

If I was younger, I’d certainly join the challenge to find the Hidden Land.
We’d be glad to have you! Probably.



ugh WHAT

Torkoal: Wh-who is it?

Nooooooo I thought we were done with you

Skuntank: Chaw-haw-haw! Well, we’re Team Skull!
Zubat: Heh-heh! Did you have business with Wigglytuff’s Guild, old-timer?
don’t be mean

Koffing: Whoa-ho-ho! I overheard you say something that sounded fun!
Skuntank: Something about the Hidden Land. Chaw-haw-haw!
What do you care about the Hidden Land?

Torkoal: I... I was only...

That’d be us, huh?

Koffing: Whoa-ho-ho! Guild chumps?
Skuntank: Old-timer...
Why don’t we take this chat somewhere we won’t be disturbed? Chaw-haw!
Torkoal: Hey...!

they’re kidnapping Torkoal :(

All right, let’s go get ready I guess.


We should?

Just in case Grovyle has come back.
Oh gotcha. That makes sense.

Let’s go check out Sharpedo Bluff, Alti!
fiiiiiiine


You said that already

Let’s go.

Yeah but I do see a Thing

Hey! Over there!


There’s something written on it in footprint runes.
This is a letter from Grovyle!
It must be a message for us. I’ll read it.
I kinda figured

Narration: Ray began reading the letter from Grovyle.
Music: Time Gear Remix

“To Alti and Ray: How are you doing?”
“How goes your search for the Hidden Land?”
“Things are going well on my end. I’ve already collected three Time Gears.”
Jeez it’s been like two days how did you do that so quickly??

“I have to find only two more Time Gears.”
“I plan to join you when I’ve collected all five.”
Where tho

“Plans have proceeded smoothly. Azelf and his friends have understood the situation. And they have fully cooperated.”
I hope u apologized for beating them up

“Azelf told me that members of your guild let them know I was coming. Thank you.”
“It’s heartening to know that more and more Pokémon are coming to trust us.”
I hope Grovyle is hailed as a hero when all is said and done. He deserves it.

“However, I will continue to stay away from Treasure Town and the guild.”
“First, I’m not certain if the Pokémon in this world trust me entirely or not.”
“But there’s something more troubling that that.”
Uh... that doesn’t sound too good.


Oh. Oh god. Shit, you’re right.

Ray: Dusknoir?!
Come to think of it...
Dusknoir failed to get rid of us in the future.
Yes, yes he did

I wouldn’t put it past him to chase us here. He still wants us gone.
Yeah it wouldn’t be out of character for him so

OK, I’ll keep reading.
“Since Dusknoir will be coming, we should keep a low profile.”
I wish you had mentioned that before

“This is another reason I should stay away from Treasure Town and the guild.”
“I may instead come back to Sharpedo Bluff or the beach.”
those are RIGHT NEXT to the town and guild that’s not going to help you at all

“If we should meet, we can then exchange information.”
Sounds good.

“Good luck on your end.”
“Together, we shall stop the planet’s paralysis.” - From Grovyle
I believe in us.

Ray: … OK, it sounds like Grovyle is hard at work.
We’d better not fail on our end.
It sounds like we’re pretty close to finding the clues that will lead us to the Hidden Land, though, so I think we’re okay.

According to this letter... Grovyle will show up either here or at the beach.
Well, he clearly isn’t here.

If we go down to the beach, maybe we will see Grovyle there.
We should go down to the beach before we go back to the guild.
Fiiiiiiine


Before we go though we stop in at the café and it looks like we opened up a new dungeon.


how was that unexplored it’s like 3 feet away from the town but ok


Yes?

Well...
Would you keep an eye out for something, if you could?
Recently... there have been Bottles washing up on the beach...
How... fairy tale-esque.

It looks as though there’s something inside those Bottles...
But you didn’t bother to check?

If that sounds interesting, you might want to look for Bottles on the beach.
Sure I guess?

Ray: Bottles washing up on the beach...
Bottles with something in them...
I’m interested...
Sounds like they’re only washing up now and then...
Whenever we head to the beach, we can look for a Bottle!
Well that was a spectacular waste of time.

The bottles contain random missions. It’s just kind of a novelty way to pick up missions.

Upon entering the beach proper...

Oh, wow that’s a lovely backdrop.
And... Lapras...?


Looks like he’s not around. Guess he’s still out collecting Time Gears.

No, he’s not here after all.
Speaking of not being here... The Krabby aren’t here, either.
… Oh, right, aren’t they like a fixture of sunset here or something?

They always come out here in the evening to blow bubbles..
Yeah, that.

I love seeing their bubbles go floating away in the evening sky.
Well, that’s too bad. It’s a letdown, but...
It’s life.


Stunning, isn’t it? (God this game’s art ; ;)

The sunset’s beautiful, like it always is.
You know...

And it looks like we might be doing just that.

But I would have never guessed that the Relic Fragment was connected to the Hidden Land.
That reminds me...
It was here, wasn’t it? Where Koffing and his sidekick stole my Relic Fragment?
How could you forget?


Yeah that.
[flashback]


Music: On the Beach at Dusk

You gave me courage then, Alti.
You know, that was how we really started as a team.
That was literally how we started as a team.

Getting back this Relic Fragment was Team Hurricane’s first adventure.
And now, we’re using the same Relic Fragment so we can go to the Hidden Land.
Bookends.

If you think about it, it’s kind of strange.
Or just video game narrative.

Alti: (That’s true!)
(My adventures with Ray...)
(and searching for the Hidden Land...)
(The Relic Fragment was the start of both!)
I love the circle of completeness here even if it is a little Plot Coupon-y.

Ray: This beautiful sunset...
It will be lost if the planet’s paralysis can’t be stopped.
We have no choice, then. For the sake of color and light and beauty we must succeed.

We have to stop that! We can’t waste any time finding the Hidden Land.
We have to do good tomorrow, Alti!
Of course!!

Alti: (That’s right. We have to try hard.)
(I must fulfill the mission that I had before losing my memory.)
I’m glad Alti accepts her fate.

(My mission with Grovyle...)
(A mission to help the Pokémon of this world and those of the future...)
A more noble pursuit I never did see.


Eh?

That... What is that?
What is what?


Oh. Hello, chapter title.
(gorgeous ; ;)


What is every living being in this world (seemingly)?

It looks like it’s swimming across the sunset...
I think it’s a Pokémon...
There ya go

Well... that’s a little strange...
… uh, WHY??? Pokémon live in the water you know???

The sun’s almost gone.
We should go back to the guild soon.
Yeah we need a good sleep if we’re gonna fight a bandit tomorrow.


So they leave, but...


Oh dammit WHAT do you WANT

The Krabby weren’t around for a good reason!
They ran off! Scared of us! Chaw-haw!
screw you guys

Koffing: Whoa-ho-ho! But, Chief!
That old-timer Torkoal wasn’t lying to us, after all.
Heh-heh! That junk we stole back then...
I didn’t know it was going to be something that valuable.
nooooooooo they Know

So what? We’ll get that Relic Fragment from them one way or another.
That means the Hidden Land is going to be explored by...

Are you going to save the world? Because that’s kind of the point here. It’s not about exploration, you shallow gits.

Koffing: Whoa-ho-ho!
Zubat: Heh-heh-heh!
That night...


Oh, wow...
(The full moon would not have risen from the same place as the setting sun REEEEEEEEE)


Huh, the Lapras had a destination.


… Wigglytuff, what are you doing here?? This was your mission? What the hell is this about

Lapras: It’s been too long, Wigglytuff. You look well.
Is Chatot doing well too?
[whispers] why do they know each other

Wigglytuff: Yes! Very well! ♪
Lapras: I’m glad to hear that!
I’ve always meant to thank you.
I deeply appreciate the promise you made... and upheld for all this time.
Promise...? what is THIS about

Wigglytuff: No problem! ♪ No big deal! ♪
But today... I am here to see you about that promise.
We find ourselves in a situation where we can’t afford to uphold that promise. I suspect that you know why.
This is oddly... salient... for Wigglytuff. He’s pretty smart after all, huh.

So please tell me...

Oh. That. Lapras knows??

That’s the end of that, and we go to the next morning.

Next time: Brine Cave and its secrets!

26/525: 4.9%
Caterpie (Xander)
Butterfree (Papillon)
Weedle (Bean)
Beedrill (Bumble)
Sandshrew (Simon)
Machop (Jon)
Grimer (BetoBeto)
Rhyhorn (Cake)
Tangela (DayumBoy)
Spinarak (Catallia)
Mareep (C3PO)
Hoppip (Alma)
Wooper (Axol)
Elekid (Firegg)
Larvitar (Savannah)
Lotad (Orchid)
Nincada (Illinois)
Electrike (Direction)
Minun (Negative)
Barboach (Dojo)
Beldum (Nickel)
Starly (Merel)
Budew (Sprout)
Combee (Hexa)
Glameow (Smudge)
Hippopotas (Duke)
 
Now this is one thing I never quite got. I understand Grovyle not going back into Treasure Town since the last thing they saw was his arrest. But why does he have to stick to Sharpedo Bluff as a rendezvous? He knows based on the note that the Guild at least is on their side, and it would probably be the safest place he could hide from Dusknoir given the man-power and their connections to the Police, who I imagine by now have to have been informed Grovyle's not an outlaw and Dusknoir is. It also accounts for them meeting up later since Alti and Ray are staying at the Guild and evidently not checking the hideout regularly, and they will need to meet up again once they find the Hidden land.
 
pika pal: I guess he figures they might not have gotten the memo? Except for the part where he straight-up says in his letter that the fact that our Guild people helped with the Lake Guardians situation made it smoother??? I... got nothing. It doesn't make much sense.



I AM AWARE...????? </seinfeld>

Guildmaster has not yet returned from his errand.
Oh.

Well huh. I guess he hasn’t.

However, I intend to set off for Brine Cave as scheduled.
Good. We don’t have the time to dawdle!!! Who knows how close Temporal Tower is to collapsing?

Corphish: Hey, hey! Where’d Guildmaster go, anyway?
To find a Lapras. (But I guess we don’t know that.)

Chatot: Um... I wouldn’t know that...
He didn’t tell you? You?

Loudred: Is it going to be OK without the Guildmaster?
Chatot: No problem! There’s no need for your concern at all!
Guildmaster must have decided that we can manage on our own without him for the time being.
I like how the idea that maybe he got injured or lost or something doesn’t even seem to occur to Chatot. Guess he’s just that confident in Wigglytuff.

That’s why he hasn’t come home yet.
Furthermore... in the place of our absent Guildmaster...

I mean I... guess????


Well
rip

Loudred: …...............
Sunflora: …........................
Chatot: Uh... Why isn’t anyone saying anything?
Well shit, this is awkward.

It... it can’t be!
Do you all think that I’m not up to the task?
NO no NO NO no NO no no NO thats NOT it

E-everyone! Out with it!
Am I perhaps... perhaps...

Well, that escalated quickly

Bidoof: Uh, nope. I wouldn’t say that, by golly.
then how WOULD u say it

Chimecho: When Guildmaster isn’t here, it just feels less safe.
OUCH

Corphish: Hey, hey! You know the Guildmaster! He’s hard to figure out...
But, hey, hey! He really comes through when things get rough!
He destroyed Team Skull let’s not forget.

Sunflora: But the Guildmaster isn’t with us right now, so...
We have to take charge and do as he wanted!
Ray: That’s right.
I’m sure that we can get the job done on our own!
I mean, we just need to find a pattern in a cave that Chatot has seen before. How hard can it be?

Let’s go for it on our own!
Loudred: You’re RIGHT! We can’t count on the Guildmaster for everything!
Yes but don’t let him hear you say that

Chimecho: Oh, yes! That’s the spirit! Let’s do our best!
HOORAY


The Guildmaster is absent... So there’s only one among us who can lead!
Dugtrio?

And that’s you, Chatot.
oh


what do you MEAN who me weren’t you the one who was JUST SAYING you were gonna lead us

Chimecho: Of course. You said so earlier.
YEAH
THAT

You said that we’ll be fine because you’re here to lead us.
Lead the way! Show us, Chatot!
Yeah!

Corphish: That’s right! Show us, Chatot! Hey, hey!
Bidoof: Yup yup! I’m counting on you!
Chatot: Urk!
URK WHAT
YOU WANTED TO LEAD


Oh okay he’s just overwhelmed with emotion got it.

You can always count on me when th-th-things are this bad...
… things are bad?

Loudred: What’s the matter, Chatot! Sound the call to duty already!
Chatot: I know! I know!
Commencing now...

Hell yeah let’s go!

Everyone! Let us excel together!

aw man I’m excited!


So we go straight to Brine Cave.


Oh wow this place looks cool.

This is the entrance to Brine Cave.
… u dont say

Your objective is to reach the deepest part of this dungeon.
Of course it is.

That is where one will find the same odd pattern inscribed on the Relic Fragment that Ray has.
However, it is there where an extremely vicious Pokémon lurks.
Oh, right, a bandit.

Bidoof: E-extremely vicious?
Golly, that sounds scary! Gulp!
You beat Jirachi and also Team Rogue I’m sure you’ll be fine.

Corphish: Hey, hey! Chatot!
Chatot: What is it?
Corphish: Yesterday, Guildmaster said something about that vicious Pokémon.
But, Chatot, you seem to know just as much about this dungeon, hey, hey?
Dude he has PTSD from it don’t press him.

Chimecho: Chatot, is it possible that you’ve been here before?
… That’s kind of what was implied when Wigglytuff first brought it up before, no?

Chatot: That’s right. I have come here before.
I explored here a long time ago. With the Guildmaster.
It was deep in this cave that we saw the peculiar pattern.
Right. You both knew about it.

It was then, however...

… “those”?? I thought it was just one?????

Loudred: Gulp... S-so, what were they like? Tough, you say?
Yeah, Chatot has PTSD from it.

Chatot: Uh... I don’t remember at all.
Well shit.

Loudred: Huh?! You don’t REMEMBER?!
Chatot: Yes, but I’m loath to admit it.
They attacked with no warning out of nowhere.
I was knocked out before I could do a thing.
That’s... unfortunate...

When I came to, the Guildmaster was tending to my wounds.
But I had no memory of events before that.
:(

So I couldn’t tell you what the attackers were like. Sigh...
Dugtrio: That gives us nothing to go on.
THANKS DUGTRIO I’m sure that will help Chatot feel A LOT BETTER

Sunflora: So we don’t know the kind of enemy we’re facing? We’ll have to make our way slowly...

… yes?

Hey, Chatot.
At first you said there was one vicious Pokémon. But then you said “they” attacked you. There’s more than one?
Glad someone finally gets it

Chatot: … No, it wasn’t just one.
There was one extremely vicious Pokémon. But it wasn’t alone.
When they attacked... Oh, I remember now!
!!!


Well shit.

Loudred: Like a tidal wave?
That could mean Water-type moves.
Probably means. Probably means Water-type moves.

Dugtrio: We’re a Ground type. We don’t like water at all.
You are super unhelpful today.

I hope we don’t have to fight enemies like that.
Sunflora: It would be awful;y dangerous to make a go of it alone.
Yea that’s why we’re not... going alone

Chatot: That’s right.
We should make several groups to explore the cave.
Bidoof: We’ll do that, sir! Yup yup!
Corphish: Hey, hey! We should form teams that don’t bunch up types.
Apart from Diglett and Dugtrio do two Pokémon here even share the same type???


Us?

Remember what the Guildmaster said yesterday.
The two members from Team Hurricane must be in my group.
Oh yeah.

Therefore, you two shall accompany me when exploring this cave.
All righty.

Understood?
I trust you won’t hold me up too much?
Oh shut up this is OUR MISSION.

Oh, you must not expect me to do everything for you!
It’s up to you to look after yourselves.
@_@ We survived the future asshole

Ray: Urk! Understood.

It is Time!

Let’s give it our all!
Everyone: HOORAY!

And so we go.

But before the dungeon itself starts...


Oh my god
CAN WE NOT DO THIS

Koffing: Whoa-ho-ho! Should we follow them?
Skuntank: Chaw-haw-haw! Sounds good. We’ll track them, but let’s keep out of sight.
… isn’t that the ideal?

When the right time comes along somewhere in the cave...
that’s when we’ll grab that wimpy Ray’s Relic Fragment!
can you, like
not?

Then we’ll hightail it to the deepest part of the cave. We’ll grab all the glory of solving this mystery.
All right have fun going to the Hidden Land and fixing Temporal Tower without Time Gears.
Assholes.

Zubat: Heh-heh! Brilliant, Chief! Your plan’s perfect!
Skuntank: Chaw-haw-haw! Naturally!
Anyway...
It will be us! Team Skull! We’ll be the ones going to the Hidden Land!
Zubat: Heh-heh-heh!
Koffing: Whoa-ho-ho!
Skuntank: Chaw-haw!
Then the dungeon finally starts.


Music: Brine Cave
As you might expect, we can’t recruit anything in the dungeon during this trip, but we will be able to in the future.

Potential recruits: Seel, Omanyte, Kingler, Pelipper, Gastrodon-W, Tentacool, Dewgong, Staryu, Dragonair

Chatot has Peck, Mirror Move, Fury Attack, and a fourth move I don’t know because he never used it.

Also despite Chatot saying he was going to lead us to the pattern it looks like we’re leading. All right

After nine uneventful floors...


Hey, Chatot. Are we nearing the place where you saw that pattern?
Chatot: We’re nearly there.
Sweet!

We don’t have far to go. However...
As I’ve told you before... Every step also takes us closer to those vicious Pokémon.
We can take ‘em. Right, Chatot?

Ray: Yes, and we’ll have to stay careful and keep our eyes open.
Okay or that.

Anyway, we don’t have far to go now. Let’s keep it up, Alti!
All right!


OH MY GOD CAN WE NOT

Koffing: Whoops! Excuuuse me!
Oh you’re not sorry at all shut up.

Ray: Hey!
Koffing: Whoa-ho! Long time, weaklings!
Music: Team Skull
We’ve grown up a lot. We went to the future and back! So don’t call us weak >:(


Chatooooooooooot

Skuntank: This is it? The Relic Fragment?
can you Not

Ray: Th-that’s...!

CAN YOU
NOT

Ray: Hey!
Koffing: Whoa-ho-ho! This is the second time you’re getting mugged for this!
dont remind us

Zubat: Heh-heh-heh! You don’t learn very well, that’s for sure!
WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN

Chatot: W-wait, wait, please! I’m afraid I’m not following what’s going on here.
CHATOOOOOOOOOT

Why are you even here?
We haven’t seen any of you from Team Skull since you suddenly disappeared during the expedition.
did
did Wigglytuff not tell you what happened

I fretted for your well-being!
@_@

Skuntank: Worried, huh...? Chaw-haw-haw!
Your guild’s full of gullible nincompoops just waiting to be fleeced.
Fuckin harsh man don’t be like that

Chatot: Oh-oh-oh?!
Your demeanor and language seem to be much coarser now!
ARE YOU REALLY
THAT
DENSE

Ray: Chatot!
They were deceiving the guild all this time!
Yeah they kind of JUST SAID THAT so

They’re a bad exploration team! Team Skull is a bunch of crooks!
Chatot: Wha-wha-what?! Is that true?!
why are you asking Them


oh okay or they could like not even try to deny it

Zubat: You’d have to be naive beyond belief to be fooled this long! Heh-heh!
Well. Shit.

Skuntank: Anyway, now we’ve got the Relic Fragment.
Now we just have to go to the Hidden Land.
GOOD LUCK SAVING THE WORLD YOU ASSHOLES

Eat your heart out, nitwits! Chaw-haw-haw!

HOW ABOUT NOOOOooaaaand they’re gone.


Well then

Those stinking scoundrels... Play me for a fool, will they!?
Squawk! They won’t get away with this!
I’ll show them what it means to trifle with me!
Well, what does it mean?


bye

Ray: Hey! Wait! Chatot!
H-he’s gone!
Chatot was sure furious. I hope he’ll be OK!
After all, there are those vicious Pokémon he’d warned us about lurking ahead.

WELL SHIT
WE GOTTA GO

Not just that, we still need to recover my Relic Fragment from Skuntank.
THAT TOO

We should hurry too!
aight leggo!


Music: Lower Brine Cave

Guess we’re alone now, no Chatot help (and no chance to figure out what his fourth move is). All right...

Available Pokémon: Gastrodon-W, Dewgong, Tentacool, Staryu, Dragonair, Walrein


aw yeah I love funky rooms (even if they confuse me because Why)


After five floors, we reach the Brine Cave Pit.

We haven’t caught up to Chatot or Team Skull yet.
Well yeah. We were in a dungeon.


This is cool looking though you have to admit.
Also it isn’t as bad as a volcano :BBB


Wat

Ray: Hey! I heard a voice over there!
Let’s go, Alti!

well HI

Skuntank: Urggghhh...
Ray: Wh-what happened to you guys?!
why do you care just take the relic fragment off em

Oh! No way! Were you attacked by a mysterious gang of enemies?
Koffing: Whoa-ho... You knew it was coming? Would’ve been good to know that...
… I thought you guys followed us into the dungeon? How did you not hear Chatot and the others talk about them?

Zubat: Not that you’d... tell us... heh-heh.
ok fair

Ray: Skuntank! Are you all right?!
WHY DO YOU CARE this over friendliness might be your downfall some day

Skuntank: Chaw-haw-haw... You find us at your mercy... and you’re worried how we are?
Apparently so.

How sickeningly generous can you nitwits be!
Yeah that’s fair.

Ray: We’re not about to walk away from anyone if they’re hurt.
Maybe you aren’t Ray but I am, we gotta get to the Hidden Land man

Skuntank: Chaw-haw-haw... Your concern’s wasted on us. We’ll be fine.
That pompous Chatot... He riled me up enough to keep going!
Why am I somehow not surprised?

Ray: Huh? Chatot did what?!
Skuntank: Here’s what he did!
That Chatot came along after we got wiped out!
I guess yall have been here a while then, huh.

When he spotted us down and out...

that’s kind of amazing haha

After giving us that blistering tongue-lashing, he went on his way.
even better hahaha

The things he said about us... I’m still seeing red.
I am so steaming mad that I refuse to give up here.
More power to you?


I don’t know how to feel about this lol

But... if you think about it...
We were close to giving up, when that Chatot saved us by riling us up... Chaw-haw-haw!
Kind of funny I... guess?

Ray: But even though you say you’ve been saved...
You like like you’re still in a lot of pain.
They’re kind of. Dead.


Yes, yes you have.

You went through downright rotten times because of us.
But... you two can still bring yourselves to worry about the likes of us?
Apparently so.

Ray: Yes. You did make us furious over this and that.
Especially the whole part where Chatot hates us because of apples

But when we see you down and out like this... we can’t just walk away.
again maybe you can’t, ray, but

Skuntank: Chaw-haw-haw... haw-haw...

Oh. Chatot didn’t get it from you?!

Skuntank: Chaw-haw-haw... oops! How unlike me!
That Relic Fragment slipped out of my grip...
… ok.

Chaw-haw... and I can’t move yet.
That Ray is going to steal it back... chaw-haw-haw...
What a crying shame that will be.

Ray: Skuntank...
Skuntank: I only dropped the Relic Fragment by accident...
You’re free to pick it up. Or not.
We kind of need it. Probably.


Skuntank: Humph. Why thank me?
The next time we meet, we’re going to be back to our old tricks of messing with you... chaw-haw-haw...
… yes because that gives us incentive to care about your fate here

Besides, don’t waste your time worrying about us.
You should be worrying about Chatot instead.
Oh... right, didn’t he go on ahead? Shit

Ray: That’s right! Where did Chatot go?
Music: Oh No!

Skuntank: He went deeper... He’s going after those enemies...
You two hurry up and go too.
Yeah we really should we care more about Chatot than you.


We’re going in deeper after them.
Skuntank, be sure to get your team out. Don’t give up.
Skuntank: Humph! I’ll ask you to not patronize Team Skull. Chaw-haw-haw...
we’re trying to be friendly :(

Ray: We have to go, Alti.

Let’s went.

After we leave...

Koffing: Whoa-ho... You can’t be serious!
Zubat: Heh-heh-heh... The way they trounced us, I’m just too wiped out...
Skuntank: So that’s it...
Well, we must really look like a mess... Chaw-haw-haw...
Just a lil.

Koffing: Whoa-ho-ho... but, Chief...
I like how you kept it to yourself until the very end...

Yeah what was up with that lol

Skuntank: Shut it... Chaw-haw-haw...
Zubat: But I gotta say, Chief, there’s something to be said about you doing that! Heh-heh-heh...
Skuntank: Shut up... Chaw-haw-haw...
Then we leave them and return to Team Hurricane and their pursuit of Chatot.


Oh hey he’s still ok.

Chatot: Hmmm. You two!
Be alert! They’re very close by!
… they are??

I saw their retreating figures when I gave chase...
But I’d lost sight of them by the time I reached this spot.
Well... shit.

They must be lurking here somewhere.

… in the water? How deep is it anyway

Chatot: (What is this...?)
(An odd sense of foreboding!)
Ray: There are only these rock walls around us.
And surely a “forward” too?

Chatot: (That one glance I caught of them... I’m on the verge of remembering...)
(That’s it!)
(When they attacked me last time...)
(They seemed to appear out of nowhere.)
(But where they really appeared from was...)

OH
WELL HI

Chatot: Ray! Alti! Be careful!
They’re above us!
Ray: What?!

Not anymore!

Kabutops: I am Kabutops!
Omastar: And the Omastar brothers!
Kabutops: All trespassers need to be taught a lesson! Take that!

Oh shit



OH SHIT

Ray: Ch-Chatot!
Kabutops: Wh-what?!
Chatot: Urrgghh...! I won’t let you get away with this...
Kabutops: How do you like that? That hero shielded his buddies with his body.
Yes and thank Arceus he did.

That’s not what I’d call smart.
Omastar: Hey! I remember!
Kabutops! That big hero’s been here before!
Oh, hey, they remember him. Cool?

We knocked him out the same way too!
Kabutops: This is the second time he’s done that? That really takes a whole lot of smarts!
Oh shut up.

Ha ha ha!
Chatot: Urrgghh.. Say what you will...

aaaaa ; ;

I won’t let you harm them!
Ray: Ch-Chatot...
Chatot: Urrgghh...

Oh. Oh, dear.

Kabutops: Ha ha ha!
It’s your turn next!
Take THIS!

And Chatot’s gone and it’s battle time.
Music: Boss Battle
They don’t really start in a good position for us to do anything to them. I set Ray to use Screech when they approach and start Alti off by throwing a Geo Pebble.


Alti uses Water Gun on Omastar as Ray Screeches the other one. I switch him to using Force Palm.


Another Water Gun takes out the Omastar. Ray uses Force Palm on Kabutops, which fails to kill.


Water Gun on Kabutops also fails to kill, but Force Palm takes out the other Omastar, leaving it at a 2-on-1.


Jesus this thing has a lot of HP. This is after a Force Palm and two more Water Guns.

Low HP will kick Torrent into effect, though...

And that’s game!


aight go away now assholes

Omastar: Erf...
Kabutops: Aiyeeeh!

lol bye


Of course, we have better things to worry about.

Chatot: Urf...
Ray: Chatot! Are you all right?! Stay with us!
I think he’ll be okay. It’s a Pokémon game, after all, Pokémon don’t die. (Maybe)


Who dat?


Not just the Guildmaster. Grovyle’s here, too?? What happened while we were in Brine Cave?

Ray: Wigglytuff! And Grovyle too!

Oh, hey.


Well then. Everyone is here.
And ffs Loudred he’s a good guy get over it you never even met him

Chimecho: What is Grovyle doing with the Guildmaster?!
I mean that’s a good question but don’t sound so scared.

Wigglytuff: I’ll explain later! This is more important!
Wow, he sounds extremely concerned.


I mean we all know you love Chatot so yeah it’s important.

Corphish: Hey, hey! This is bad! Chatot is down!
Bidoof: Golly! He’s hurt!

oh this is so emotionallllll

Chatot: Ha ha ha... I’m fine...
I mean at least he’s alive because he’s talking.

I’m hale and hearty... As you can see...
… I’m not so sure about that but all right.

Wigglytuff: Chatot!
I’m sorry, Chatot. If I only got here earlier...
Yeah where exactly were you anyhow?

Chatot: Please don’t blame yourself... Guildmaster...
But... this is so humiliating!
To be knocked out by the same enemies... again!
:( chatot is a sad

Wigglytuff: That isn’t true, Chatot!
… uh, he got knocked out by the fossils both times, what do you mean that isn’t true

The last time we came here...
You were knocked out right away, Chatot, so you probably don’t remember this. But... that time...
yeah literally right there Wigglytuff says he was knocked out by the fossils.

Wigglytuff: When Kabutops’s gang sprang out at us... you shielded me from attack, Chatot.
Oh is that what he means. Chatot wasn’t just wrecked immediately

Chatot: Excuse me...?
Wigglytuff: I sent Kabutops’s gang packing right after that, but...
lol don’t rub it in how overpowered you are Wigglytuff

If it weren’t for you jumping out to shield me, Chatot, I would have been knocked out on the spot.
I doubt that but okay.

I owe my life to Chatot.
Chatot: That’s... what happened?
Wigglytuff: Chatot, you are...

d’awwwww...

Chatot: I... I am privileged to hear such words, Guildmaster.

; ; im gonna cry they’re so cute


Oh, no...

Loudred: WHOA, Chatot!
Chimecho: Chatot!
Grovyle: Everyone, stay calm!

Ok but how do you know that?

He still has time! Get him back to the guild now!
Ray: Well then! Quick, let’s all go back to the guild!
Wigglytuff: No. We will take Chatot back to the guild.
But, as for you, Alti and Ray...

did we forget there was a pattern to find in this dungeon?

Ray: But...!
RAYYYY

Wigglytuff: Don’t worry about it.
Besides, if you don’t go on from here...
Chatot’s shielding you will have been for nothing.
Such a great point, glad Wigglytuff told it to Ray so straight

Ray: Urf...
Wigglytuff: The strange pattern is up ahead.
Now, hurry.
Grovyle: Thanks, Wigglytuff. We will continue onward.

It is time.

Ray: … OK.
Let’s go, Alti.

We’ll do our best!


Yeah how did you show up with Wigglytuff of all Pokémon too

Grovyle: Wigglytuff brought me.
Well there you go.

Ray: What? Wigglytuff did?
Grovyle: That’s right. Wigglytuff had been looking for me.
As soon as he found me, he asked me to go with him. He said you were close to finding the Hidden Land.
he was gone for ONE NIGHT how did he find you in that time

It worked out fine, because I planned to join you anyway.
Ray: Planned to join us...? Wait, does that mean...

>necessary
Does this imply there’s more than five...?
(I think I’ve been over this already but feel free to share your thoughts regardless)

Also you did it in like ONE DAY what the hell

Ray: Yes!
All we have to do now is get to the Hidden Land!
You make it sound so simple...

So let’s find that place with the strange pattern now!

Oh... wow. This is lovely. I like the coloration on the water there. I’d love to be here.

Ray: … Hold on. This is seawater!
Yeah. Brine Cave. And it’s a sea inlet.


Oh, cool...

We couldn’t see it from outside because it’s in the shadows.
I don’t think the angle of sight from the beach would have been great for that anyway...

Alti: (It’s true.)
(The sea is visible beyond the rock walls.)
(It’s nearly evening. We didn’t notice the time go by.)
We were in a cave so that’s kind of to be expected.

Grovyle: The ride rises up to here from that gap in the walls.

Yeah did we forget about THE PATTERN

Ray: What? Alti, what’s wrong?
nothing ffs


Yes... yes it is!

I guess this is the same pattern that Chatot described.
See any other patterns around here?

Let me bring out the Relic Fragment.

It’s hard to tell, but it’s starting to glow a bit.


And it isn’t alone.

It’s as if... it’s reacting to the Relic Fragment!
That’s sure something. This has never been discovered by anyone before?


WHAT IS HAPPENING


UM
I DON’T KNOW HOW TO FEEL ABOUT THIS

Grovyle: What... What was that?
Ray: A beam of light show out to sea...
What’s that out there...?

Kind of familiar...


Yep. It’s a Pokémon we have seen recently.

and Grovyle... correct?
Ray: You know our names?
Lapras: Yes.
I was informed by Wigglytuff.
Oh. I guess that was what that meeting between y’all last night was??

Ray: W-Wigglytuff told you?
The pattern on the wall shot a beam of light across the sea.
You appeared right after that.
Can you tell me who you are?
At least Ray is smart enough to notice a connection here.


ALL RIGHTY THEN

Ray: You’re what?! You can take us to the Hidden Land?!
So it seems.

Lapras: You unleashed the beam of light from the pattern on the wall.
That is the signal for gaining entry to the Hidden Land.
Well huh, who’da thunk it.

It is beyond the sea.
… how convenient that Lapras is a ferrying Pokémon then.

Step onto my back. I will carry you across the sea.
Don’t be afraid. I can carry you all and more on my back.
Okay, I trust your strength but I’m wondering more about your size. At least in the sprite proportions.

Ray: It’s beyond the sea... The Hidden Land.
Grovyle: Alti! Ray!
Let’s go! Beyond the sea!
Yeah! This is exciting!



Despite that this would be a natural ending point, I’m going to keep going because the next bit of plot neatly wraps up what we’ve done in this part.


I guess it would help put us at ease if we see how Chatot is doing.


The entire guild is here, worried about Chatot... Really this is quite a beautiful moment.

Wigglytuff: Yep! ♪
… you sound bizarrely chipper, I know that he’s not dead but even still

He needs to sleep and recover tonight. I think he’ll be fine tomorrow! ♪
That is a massive relief, at any rate.

Music: Goodnight

Diglett: I’m glad to hear that!
Bidoof: Yup yup, that’s a load off my mind, by golly.
Corphish: Hey, hey! That’s great! Chatot will be OK! Hey, hey!
Sunflora: Guildmaster...?
Wigglytuff: What is it, Sunflora?
Sunflora: Guildmaster, you said Chatot saved you at that cave long ago. Can you tell us about it?
Oh, I’d like to hear about that too.

Wigglytuff: Yep! This is what happened...

I was too slow to get a screenshot but it showed that “Chatot looking up at Kabutops and the Omastar” art from before, implying Chatot figured it out last time too.


Chatot reacted first and shielded me from them, and he got knocked out.
I sent Kabutops’s gang packing after that, but...
Chatot was knocked out. I didn’t know what to do.
Y’all explorers don’t know basic first aid?

I was in a panic because I couldn’t help Chatot.
That was when Lapras appeared.
Oh, huh, that’s interesting.

Sunflora: Lapras?
Wigglytuff: Yep. Lapras.
Lapras saved Chatot.
Oh, wow.


Oh... wow, there’s actually separate art for this, cool.
Also, parallel storytelling, nice.

That’s how you met Wigglytuff, Lapras?
Lapras: Yes. I didn’t intend to reveal myself at all...
What were you just hanging around right outside the cave?

But I changed my mind the instant I saw Chatot on the ground.
I simply had to help.
Well, we’re all glad you did.

Afterward...
I made Wigglytuff promise me something.
Ray: A promise?
Lapras: Yes.

Wigglytuff: I think Lapras recognized that we were an exploration team right away.
So he said to us...
that he couldn’t tell if we were bandits with big ambitions...
or if we were an exploration team with good intentions...
so he asked, for the sake of the world’s peace...
that we please not investigate the peculiar pattern there. That’s what he asked of us.
So like what did he say that to everyone that came to the depths of Brine Cave?? because I can’t believe that in all this time the only Pokémon ever to get there were Wigglytuff and Chatot

Chimecho: So... what was your reply, Guildmaster?

I’m not surprised, really. It’s Wigglytuff.

He said he owed me thanks for coming to Chatot’s aid...
and that he would stop all investigations into the matter.
Does he have that kind of absolute power?

Ray: So that’s what happened.
But... why didn’t you want anyone to investigate the pattern?
… are you serious Ray? Isn’t that super obvious?!?

Lapras: In the Hidden Land... is Temporal Tower where Dialga reigns.
Dialga feared intruders could wreak havoc at the tower that regulates time.
Yeah, see, THERE YOU GO, that is a good reason.

Dialga decided to protect Temporal Tower.
MAKES SENSE TO ME


Excuse me a what now

Ray: A gap in time?
Lapras: Yes. It is hard to explain, but...
It is a gap in time itself... It’s the space between parts of a split second.
BUT
THAT’S STILL TIME
IT’S LIKE SAYING THERE’S NO SPACE BETWEEN MUSICAL PITCHES
THERE IS WE JUST DON’T NOTATE IT

Grovyle: I see. No wonder the place couldn’t be found.
YEAH IT ONLY DEFIES THE LAWS OF PHYSICS

A gap in time...
No one could ever hope to go to such a place.
And yet here we are.

Lapras: No. Dialga left one key for entering the Hidden Land.
That’s a special fragment with a mysterious pattern etched into it.
I guess that makes sense? Maybe?


And when I saw Ray’s Relic Fragment... I finally understood.
I realized then that the peculiar pattern was linked to the Hidden Land.
And it’s a good thing you did, too!

That’s why I headed out to Brine Cave before everyone else went.
Because I had to see Lapras.
… and you just knew he’d show up, huh...?


Music: Time Gear Remix

How time was stopping all over and how the world was in peril...
And Lapras, despite being the guide to the Hidden Land and Temporal Tower, didn’t already know this.
Got it.

I also explained how the Time Gears needed to be taken to Temporal Tower...
So I asked him to reveal how we could get to the Hidden Land.
I guess it didn’t matter that much what you found as we got to it without Wigglytuff’s guidance anyhow, just by testing the Relic Fragment by the pattern.

Sunflora: So... what happened?
Wigglytuff: Lapras revealed it to me.
He said that the Relic Fragment chooses who will go to the Hidden Land.
Wait what

Dugtrio: The Relic Fragment itself does that?!
YEAH LIKE
UH
HOW

Chimecho: It chooses. On its own?
Wigglytuff: Yep. Apparently so! ♪
And the Relic Fragment chose Ray.
That’s all well and good but, uh, what was it doing in the time before Ray came along? Like. Did it just poof itself out of existence until Ray would find it?? How

Corphish: Hey! Why did the Relic Fragment choose Ray?
ouch

Wigglytuff: I don’t really know.
double ouch

I think Dialga wants to prevent those with bad intentions in their hearts from entering Temporal Tower.
I mean. Makes sense?

That’s why the important thing is the purity of the heart.
Well, no one can claim Ray doesn’t have that.

So Ray’s heart must have resonated with the Relic Fragment.
on what pitch

Anyway, we can do no more to help.
Sadly...

From now on... this burden belongs to Ray and Alti...
It’s Team Hurricane’s weight to bear now.
And Grovyle!!!

It’s entirely up to them to get to the Hidden Land. It falls to them to stop the destruction of time...
Way to put pressure on someone, huh?

After that, we get a save prompt, and this is where I wanted to leave off.

Next time: The Hidden Land?

26/525: 4.9%
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Beedrill (Bumble)
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Machop (Jon)
Grimer (BetoBeto)
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Tangela (DayumBoy)
Spinarak (Catallia)
Mareep (C3PO)
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Elekid (Firegg)
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Budew (Sprout)
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Glameow (Smudge)
Hippopotas (Duke)
 
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Maybe the Kabutops and Omastar Brothers are the muscle security for Brine cave, while Lapras is the one that actually takes you to the Hidden Land. In story they're a reasonable threat since they could have KO'd Wigglytuff (who comic relief or not is a very powerful fighter) quickly by Surprise attack. Lapras probably had to negotiate with Wigglytuff since very few Mons get past them. Wigglytuff could in turn stop investigation by spreading the fake story that nothing's there and the real story that Pokemon he'd have trouble fighting were there which would discourage people outside the guild.

As for Wigglytuff finding Grovyle, I'd assume he probably went to check known Time Gear locations (Grovyle probably just went for the same ones he got before, hence the ones they knew about when he was a fugitive), or came back to the Guild once he had them all (which addresses my point of why he goes to Sharpedo Bluff before, not leaving leads until he's done with his job and NEEDS to be in direct contact with the others) and met up with Wigglytuff there.

And for Team Skull. It wouldn't surprise me if Wigglytuff legitimately didn't know they were bad guys, which would be funny considering a later move he gets is "Play Rough." That said, also possible he just didn't think to mention it since other more important stuff started after with Dusknoir's visit and the Time Gear thefts.
 
I'M SORRY THIS IS SO LATE school is insane. I have my comprehensive exams one week from today and that's been really sucking up a lot of my free time. Once those are over I should have some more time to devote to this though!! Maybe. Hopefully.

pika pal: You know I kind of like that argument. I figured Kabutops and the Omastar were just kinda there but maybe they are significant to Brine Cave's protection. Hmmm.
Wigglytuff is psychic let's leave it at that.
Except about Team Skull lmao



What a lovely day. (DS aaaaaart ; ;)


I guess we’ve been going all night, huh.
(I love that. The subtle use of day and night to express the passage of time as they cross the sea. I can’t imagine the tension they must be feeling. The silence really helps add to that.
And I’m totally gonna write about all that in my thesis)

Lapras: Yes?
Ray: You’ve been swimming a long time. Are you doing OK?
It’s Lapras, this is what they’re made for!

Lapras: I’m fine, Ray.
No need for concern. Because we’re almost there.
Wait what we are?


wh
WHAT IS

Ray: What?
Lapras: On the far horizon. Do you see where the sea looks a little different?
… eh?



Emulator glitches are always great at really important moments...

Well... You can tell the sea is supposed to sparkly and kinda green over there at least.

The waves... The waves are all twisted up!
and black I guess

Ray: Lapras! Wh-what is that?!
Music: Through the Sea of Time

Lapras: The edge of the gap in time.
… but... if it’s a gap in time why is it visible? like that’s now how time-space works... right?

That is the portal through which we will go to the Hidden Land.
A spatial portal for a temporal anomaly, got it. Makes sense...


Let’s go.


Wait, what? Why is Lapras lifting out of the water??


Lapras is flying!
Wow. This is spectacular ngl
(Fuck, y’all, ever since I started writing my thesis on these games I’ve happened across so many amazing musical conclusions that just bring so much life to the game. Now it’s affecting the way I’m playing the game. I’m getting chills here and tearing up from the combination of music and visuals. It’s so beautiful ; ;)

Grovyle: No! That’s not it!
This... This isn’t flying!
it’s falling with style


… oh wow....


WHAT THE
WHY IS IT FLOATING...
HOW...
HOW IS IT HERE...

Grovyle: Lapras...!
Is that it?!
Is that the Hidden Land?!
Lapras: Yes! That’s the Hidden Land!

I can see Temporal Tower too...


(i am GETTING THE CHILLS yall ; ;)


I love this... It’s just suspended in time over the ocean. Amazing.


It looks lovely.

Grovyle: We finally made it here.
Lapras: Please... look ahead.
Ray: Hey! What’s that?!

Oh wow...
Music: Hidden Land

Lapras: Yes. It’s Temporal Tower.
Grovyle: … That’s where Dialga is...
That’s where we have to go. The Time Gears have to be taken there.
Ray: But... if you take a close look...
That place... seems to be floating in the sky!
You don’t need a close look to tell you that.

I wonder how we’re supposed to get there?
Fly on Lapras?

Lapras: You must take the Rainbow Stoneship.
The what now?

Grovyle: The Rainbow Stoneship?
Lapras: Yes. Far ahead, you will find the Old Ruins.
There, you will find an ancient, mystical vessel, the Rainbow Stoneship.
Oh cool...

It will take you to Temporal Tower.
Ray: Thank you, Lapras!
Lapras: This is the extent of what I can do for you.
From here, you’re on your own. Good luck on reaching Temporal Tower!
Well... all right...

Ray: OK!
Grovyle! Alti!
We don’t have far to go now! Let’s keep it up!
Yeah!


Let’s do this thing.


So here we are.

Pokémon: Dragonite, Manectric, Tropius, Rampardos, Bastiodon, Purugly, Garchomp, Abomasnow, Magmortar
In addition to the high evolutionary stages, I am massively underleveled. We are level 33 and the Pokémon go up to 43. I haven’t been this low-leveled since the very first time I played Darkness ten years ago, where I ended up restarting because I was too low-leveled to defeat the final boss.

We’ll... see what happens this time.


Lol well that’s certainly fun.
Stepped on a trap that spawned four Pokémon around me and had to fight them all. The result is a near-death experience for poor Alti here.


ahahhaa fantastic


I could double up on Screech if I wanted. But I like the ones I have now, so I’ll pass.


Later floors start having air pits which is rad as hell


After fifteen floors we arrive at the midpoint.
Let’s continue.


Music: Hidden Highland

Pokémon: All the same, just higher leveled


After eight floors, we have arrived at the Old Ruins.


Oh wow...


I really like the detail in these ruins. Why are they here? Who made them? Who knows?

Look at all these fantastic paintings and inscriptions on the walls!

And it’s amazing.

The Rainbow Stoneship should be here.
Where is “here” tho

Ray: Yup, that’s right!
Let’s go in there!

Whoa. This place has such a rad ancient feel, I love it.
(dat art ; ;)

Grovyle: I’m not sure myself, but... I would imagine...
It must be a temple of the Old Ruins.
There’s a temple? I wasn’t anticipating that

Ray: Let’s head up these stairs.
All right.


… you don’t say


Looks promising.

Grovyle: The strange pattern is here too.
Ray: There’s a small indentation in the middle.
I wonder what it’s for...?
… the use doesn’t immediately jump out at you, Ray? You?


Yes Alti?


Oh this.

Alti: (There’s a stone tablet...)
(There seems to be something inscribed here.)
(What are these...? These strange runes...?)
What, you can’t read ancient Poke-Latin/Greek/Etruscan/Phoenician? For shame

Grovyle: This is inscribed with Unown letters.
… those arent strange runes, uh

It’s written in an ancient language.
Ok so Unown transcription of Poke-Latin/Greek/Etruscan/Phoenician. Got it

Ray: Can you read it, Grovyle?
Grovyle: Yes. I’ve researched extensively to learn about this.
RAD dude
Where did you find historical documents to use though? How do you “research” in that future?

Ray: Really?! Great! Quick! Read it!
Grovyle: Don’t be so impatient. Give me a minute.

… yes???

Ray: … So, Grovyle?
Grovyle: ….............................. I’ve got it.
:o!!


Wat

Ray: What?! This is it?!
My thoughts exactly

Grovyle: Yeah. That’s right.
There is an indentation there.

Yes, did y’all slowpokes ever figure out what this is

Ray.
This is where it goes.
Yup he’s got it lol

Fit that fragment with the strange pattern on it into the indentation.
Ray: What? You want me to put the Relic Fragment in there?
YES that is what he SAID what do you THINK

Grovyle: That’s right. That will activate the Rainbow Stoneship.
We can ride it to Temporal Tower... That’s what it said on the tablet.
what we can ride this??? ride WHAT?? the whole temple stairs and everything??? what

Ray: Really?!
Grovyle: Try it and see.
Ray: OK!

Hurry up and do it then


… wat

Grovyle: Who... who’s there?!
Sableye: Wheh-heh-heh.
… Sableye...?


Oh
Oh no

Dusknoir: Ha-ha-ha! Hoo-hoo-ha!

NO
CAN WE NOT DO THIS
WE ARE SO CLOSE

Music: The Power of Darkness

Grovyle: How did you get here?!
… Dialga has time powers. What do you think?

Dusknoir: Humph... Quite simple, actually.
lmao he sounds offended

I had Master Dialga warp us here directly.
After all, I knew that you would inevitably come here.
YEA I mean that MAKES SENSE

Waiting here spared us the bother of having to search for you.
fak off we don’t have that luxury

Grovyle: Urgh...
Dusknoir: Hoo-hoo-ha! Unfortunately, you are coming back to the future with me.
Why don’t you just murder us here like if you want us dead why is that necessary. Just knock us out and kill us or something


Ohhhhh dear

Sableye: Wheh-heh-heh!

Well... shit


Yep it’s pretty ominous

Dusknoir: Sableye!
Into the dimensional hole with them!
Sableye: Wheh-heh-heh!

yes grovyle what is it

Ray: … Yes?
Alti: (… I’m with you!)

Hell yeah take that

Dusknoir: Well, well... You display some feeble resistance, knowing that it’s futile?
It isn’t but ok

Grovyle: You expected anything less?
EX ACTLY

Dusknoir: Humph. You leave me no choice.

lol that aint happening

Grovyle: Urgh...
are you actually surprised tho

Dusknoir: The odds are overwhelmingly stacked against you.
All right King Azaz/Mathemagician (props to anyone who gets that reference)

How much resistance can you even serve up?
Show me!
Swarm them!

Battle time.
Did you expect anything else?

Music: Battle against Dusknoir

I lead by setting Ray to use Quick Attack as his starting move as Alti throws an Iron Thorn and Grovyle also uses Quick Attack.


Then we get swarmed.
Ray is switched to Bite. Alti attacks the Sableye with Water Gun.


Dusknoir used Curse. Well... I guess he has less health now? Good??


A few turns later, we have taken out all the Sableye except one as well as Dusknoir. This last Sableye shouldn’t prove challenging.


This is why I’m intentionally underleveled. Fight is too easy otherwise!! And it’s still too easy!!!! (shut up i know he used curse)


scream moar

I... I... I...

FFS WE BEAT YOU
CAN WE NOT DO THIS WHOLE MD1 BOSSES-AREN’T-REALLY-DEFEATED THING


Aaaand we’re dead...


Music: The Power of Darkness
Or not I guess.

Dusknoir: Humph. So foolhardy.
You dared to challenge me?
Yes. Always.

For all the effort in the world...
with your puny power... you had no chance of winning from the start!
FFS I WON THAT FIGHT WHAT ARE YOU SAYING

Ray: Ugh... Dusknoir is truly tough.
Grovyle: Don’t give up! There’s a way out of this!
There always is! I believe in us!

Ray: That’s easy for you to say...
yeah ur level 46

Dusknoir: Humph. You’ve done admirably well for those as pitiful as you...
But it’s all over now.

WHAT
NO

Ray: The mouth on his stomach! It opened up!
Grovyle: H-he’s going to do something!
You don’t say!

Alti: (Is he going to unleash a move on us?!)
… probably??

(From that mouth on his stomach?!)
Ok i guess that is a bit of a weird thing.

(Wait a second... The mouth on his stomach?!)
… yes what about it

(Th-that’s it! This could work!)
WHAT could work


WOW WHAT THE HELL

Ray: Wh-what?!
Grovyle: Force our combined moves down his stomach?!
Er
How is that gonna
… work

Is that possible?!
Ray: There’s no time! It’s our one shot, Grovyle!
all right fair enough


oh dear


All right I guess we all suddenly learned how to use Mirror Coat.


Jesus is his stomach-mouth smoking???


Awww yeah. Suck it Dusknoir

Grovyle: Dusknoir is... down...
We’ve finally beaten Dusknoir!
Hopefully that’s the case!


scared potter

Sableye: Wheeh... Lord Dusknoir...
Sableye: Lord Dusknoir... was defeated!

LMAO BYE


some friends they are
Music: Hidden Highland

You just have no luck attracting reliable allies.
TOLDASAURUS REKT

Dusknoir: Urgggh...
Grovyle: Ray.
Ray: What is it?
Grovyle: Go to the top of the temple.
Put the Relic Fragment in that hollow spot.
Oh I guess we did never get to that. Sounds good

I want you to check if the Rainbow Stoneship actually works.
lmao wouldn’t that be something if we did all this and then couldn’t even get to temporal tower

Meanwhile, Alti and I will keep an eye on Dusknoir here.
Sounds good.

Ray: OK. I’ll go do that.

bye

Grovyle: If the Rainbow Stoneship works, we can go to Temporal Tower.
… yes. Yes, that is correct.

I hope it activates...
me too my dude me too

Dusknoir: Urgggh...
WHAT
I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD

Grovyle: Don’t move!
Dusknoir: Urgghh... Grovyle... Alti...
Is this really...
Is this what you really want?
If it saves the world, absolutely.


Wait
What

Alti: (Wh-what?)
(If history is changed... Pokémon of the future will disappear?
I mean, that makes sense from a time perspective, but I didn’t quite expect Pokémon would go that route since it’s really dark considering

Dusknoir: It won’t be just me.
… er, yeah, there’s three of us here that are from the future

Both of you... Grovyle and Alti
Since you come from a future that will cease to exist, you will both disappear too... Is that what you really want?
Our miserable lives or the happiness of the world? Hmm...

Alti: (If we change history, we’ll disappear too?!)
(Is Dusknoir...)
(Is Dusknoir telling... the truth?)
I told you, it makes sense from a time perspective.
Well... sort of. If you accept that time has the ability to cross itself in its linearity, then yes that makes sense. If linear time is strictly past > future with no interactions with itself, then only a stable time loop makes sense, but we’re not getting into that.

(I have contemplated time travel a lot.)


oh you sad soul :(

Grovyle: … It’s true, Alti.
Music: Time Gear
… Oh dear.

If we change history, we will disappear.
Alti: (G-Grovyle!)
Grovyle: But... that doesn’t matter...
You sound conflicted though...

If it means restoring time... And bringing peace to the world!
Grovyle, that is incredibly selfless of you...
But who wouldn’t do the same if they were miserable to begin with?

It’s what I came to the past to do...
Celebi too... She helped us, knowing that she will disappear if we succeed.
… She was born to begin with? How does that work. How does Celebi work.
How far in the future is the dark future anyway?

Alti: (Even Celebi?)
(Oh! I recall, when we were in the future...)

We’ll finally be spared the agony of this world of darkness.
Oh, that wasn’t about the darkness going away, was it …

My dear Grovyle, I will devote my whole life to achieve that end!

Oh.

Alti: (When Celebi said that she would devote her whole life...)
(So this is what she meant...)

I mean, I wouldn’t have ended up in the past otherwise.

We came from the future fully accepting what would happen to us.
But... the way you are now, you don’t remember that resolve.
Course not...

I know this is coming as a great shock to you.
Yeah you might have wanted to mention that earlier back when we were deciding whether to do this

But... we have no choice in the matter either way.
If we don’t act, time will be destroyed.
The planet’s paralysis will begin.
I don’t want that.

To bring peace to this world... we have to disappear.
Try to understand, Alti.
I don’t know that Alti has much to lose with no memory anyway. Except...


(I came to this world... with such a resolve...)
(Knowing that if we succeeded... we would disappear...)
(But...)
(If we don’t act, the destruction of time can’t be stopped.)
Sounds like she’s made up her mind about it already.

(That means... we have to do it.)
(Even if that means I must disappear.)
Grovyle: Oh, Alti...
But... there’s just one thing...
there’s more??

One thing changed for us by coming to this world.
It’s true that we had the resolve to complete our mission.
That was true when we first came back to this world...
But we had absolutely nothing to lose. And nothing to go back to.
Right. But now...

But, Alti... this changed for you when you became a Pokémon...
You found a friend and partner in Ray.
Yes. Him. I don’t want to leave him... and he won’t want me to leave either.

Ray looks up to you.
If your partner found out that you might disappear...
Would he be like Elise in Sonic 2006 where her own feelings are more important than the fate of the universe?

I’m sure Ray would be crushed.
More than that. I think it would straight up inflict long-lasting psychological harm on him.

Ray has a good spirit.
But...
If the future is altered and you disappear...
Your partner will... Ray will be...
left all alone.
Eugh... Yeah I don’t know what he’s going to do with himself if that happens.

Alti: (I finally understand.)
(If I change history... I will disappear.)
(If I disappear... Ray will be...)

:(


Speaking of...


Time to start up the Rainbow Stoneship?

The Relic Fragment is supposed to go into this spot.
That will activate the Rainbow Stoneship, Grovyle said... It’s worth a try.
We don’t have any other means of getting to Temporal Tower so of course it’s worth a try??


well that’s a good start at least


SOMETHING SURE IS HAPPENING


note the blue glow coming off the side of the screen

Grovyle: Ray’s done it!
That noise... It has to be the sound of the Rainbow Stoneship activating!

oh my god we KILLED YOU CAN YOU NOT

He strikes Alti down.
Alti: (Gwah!)
Dusknoir: I won’t... You’ll never change history!

oh no oh dear oh man oh heck


grovyle what did you Do!

Alti: (Grovyle!)
Dusknoir: So you shielded Alti, Grovyle?!
That’s taken a heavy toll on you!
Very well! You’re going down first!
we fought you TWICE and WON can we NOT DO THIS!

Grovyle: Uwroh... Wroooooooooh!

OH SHIT WELL THAT HAPPENED
Music: Through the Sea of Time

Grovyle: Urrggh... Dusknoir!
I’m... I’m taking you with me...
We’re going back to the future!
what no :( Grovyle was supposed to finish this mission with us. It was supposed to be done together!

Dusknoir: Wha...
Alti: (What?!)
Grovyle: Alti! It’s up to you now!
Oh god no I can’t do it without your knowledge


Alti: (Time Gears!)
They’re so... small.

Ray: OK, team! The Rainbow Stoneship’s set to go!

A sacrifice for Pokémon everywhere.

Grovyle: Ray! This is it for me!
I’m taking Dusknoir... back to the future!
Ray: Huh?! Wh-what?!
Well we couldn’t just leave him there...

Grovyle: I can never come back here again.
… sacrificing your life for the good of the world... You mean that literally...


ugh this is hitting me right in the feels

Ray: B-but...!
Take your place, Grovyle...? I can’t!
Grovyle: You must and you will. Because you can, Ray.
You two are... the greatest of combinations.
I am legitimately about to tear up

Dusknoir: Gwoh! Unhand me! Release me!
You think Grovyle is going to listen??

Grovyle: We’re almost there! Quiet!
… Alti!
Take care, Alti.
I was lucky to have known you.
past tense


Of course, Grovyle...

Alti: (Grovyle!)
Grovyle: Sorry for the holdup, Dusknoir!

And they’re gone...


The dimensional hole too.

Alti: (Grovyle...)

The blue glow is increasing in its range.

Alti: (It’s getting louder!)
(… The Rainbow Stoneship...)
(It looks like it’s ready to go...)
And time for us to go.

Ray: But... Grovyle...
… Grovyle...
If only you knew the truth, Ray.
I suppose it’s best you don’t.

... It’s sad...
I’m too sad... to even move...
You have to! Otherwise Grovyle’s sacrifice will mean nothing!

Ray: … But...
Alti: (Right...)
(If we don’t hurry...)
(If we don’t hurry, the Rainbow Stoneship might go without us...)
What a rude ship

(... Grovyle...)
(Even though I’m sad... I have to do this...)
We have no choice.

Ray: …............
We’d better go...
… The Time Gears...
The Time Gears... I’d better gather them up.

oh you sad uninformed soul

We’ll stop the planet’s paralysis...
We’ll change the future into a better world.
A world in which Grovyle can live happily! We won’t fail!
We have to succeed. For Grovyle’s legacy...


(What Dusknoir said...)
(That’s right...)
Music: In the Hands of Fate

(If the future is changed, Grovyle will disappear...)
(And... I will disappear too...)

The last thing Grovyle said to you, Alti...

way to wrench my heart

Ray: His last words... Parting hurts...
I understand that feeling. I understand how it hurts.
do you really

Grovyle was partners with you for a long time, Alti.
I think it must have hurt Grovyle terribly to leave you.
Alti: (…............)
(That may be what he meant...)
(But no. That isn’t it.)
(Grovyle’s last words...)
(They weren’t about me and Grovyle.)

i am going to Cry ; ;

(Grovyle said what he did... because he knew that I would have to leave Ray eventually.)
(When history is changed... I will disappear.)
(My time together with Ray is ending...)
(This is our last adventure.)
the poor soul oh man my heart aches for Ray :(


We have to do this for Grovyle’s sake! Let’s go to Temporal Tower!
We have no choice.

Next time: Temporal Tower!

26/525: 4.9%
Caterpie (Xander)
Butterfree (Papillon)
Weedle (Bean)
Beedrill (Bumble)
Sandshrew (Simon)
Machop (Jon)
Grimer (BetoBeto)
Rhyhorn (Cake)
Tangela (DayumBoy)
Spinarak (Catallia)
Mareep (C3PO)
Hoppip (Alma)
Wooper (Axol)
Elekid (Firegg)
Larvitar (Savannah)
Lotad (Orchid)
Nincada (Illinois)
Electrike (Direction)
Minun (Negative)
Barboach (Dojo)
Beldum (Nickel)
Starly (Merel)
Budew (Sprout)
Combee (Hexa)
Glameow (Smudge)
Hippopotas (Duke)
 
There's a second layer to this particular scene that really makes it even harsher for me after the post-game story. I want to save it for then, but I want to leave this as a reminder in case you didn't think this scene was sad enough already.
 
pika pal: There's a lot of post-game stuff that colors the way that scene is viewed; I'm not sure what exactly you're referring to. I guess I'll find out when I get that far, haha.

I am back! I had to take some time to study and complete comps exams (which I think went well???) and then I had a draft of my thesis chapter on MD1 due two days later and then I had spring break where my boyfriend came to visit and also I moved house (again) and went backpacking lol. But we’re finally back, and updates should hopefully be more frequent from here on out.

Be warned – this update contains a lot of images. I mean, it’s the endgame, so of course it does.


oh man that hurts


More than that! Look at that intense light!

It’s about to move! Let’s get on it, quick!

WELL THEN
Wa-wa-waaah!

That’s a “rainbow” stoneship all right.

Look at that!

Oh wow... Cool...

Music: Time Gear Remix

Finally... We’re on our way...
We’re going there...
This is surreal.


Yes... Yes we are.

There’s no turning back now.
Yup. This is it.

Hey! Up there...

Ominous as all hell??? Wow

Let’s hustle!

Beautiful architecture!
Music: Temporal Tower


Yup...

Waah! The ground’s shaking!
… Did it settle down...?
What was that tremor, anyway?
The tower falling apart??

Hey! That reminds me!
Grovyle once said something about this!
Yeah. Said that Temporal Tower is collapsing. That’s what’s happening.

He said that time started going out of control everywhere because Temporal Tower began collapsing.
Yeah. How did you forget THE REASON

So that tremor we just felt...
Temporal Tower could be collapsing as we speak...
it’s time to Go

We have to hurry, Alti!
Yep!! Let’s go.


I really like this architecture even though it’s clearly just... a building. I don’t know, don’t judge me

Pokémon: Porygon, Lunatone, Solrock, Bronzor
These guys go up as high as 42 so that’s … great


discharge spam begins
For those of you not in the know: Porygon (and later its evolutions) get Discharge. Discharge is a nightmare because it can hit from anywhere in a room – or, in a hallway, as in my case, it can hit both team members – and paralyze. And I’m a Water type! So. Tremendous. I sure do love this


Porygon sucks


So does Lunatone (that was Psywave rip)


well this sure is a fantastic situation


oh goodness gracious this is a pickle.
Petrify Orb time...


As I clean out the Monster House, Alti tries to pick up Thrash. I don’t think it’s worth it.


At the midpoint, after 13 floors. Closer than ever.
Music: Temporal Spire

How much further is it to the top?
Then the ground starts shaking.

Wa-waah! Another tremor!
… That tremor was powerful.
It must be getting worse...
I mean. Yeah. The tower is structurally unstable and we know this

The tower must be falling apart faster...
ya dont say

I’m not sure it’s true, but...
If Temporal Tower regulates time like Lapras said...
We’re about to be fucked?

Then, if the tower collapses...
Our planet’s paralysis will begin.
Yeah. So stop talking and let’s GO.

Another earthquake...

So let’s hustle, Alti!
All right. Let’s go.


Yeah see Porygon-Z is here and. it. It sucks. :c

Pokémon here: Bronzong, Porygon2, Salamence, Porygon-Z, Metagross
They go up to level 47 we are absolutely screwed hahahah


MY WORST NIGHTMARE.........
(it wasn’t actually so bad)


oh Great


After ten floors...


The Pinnacle, to be specific. But yes, it is.

Then the screen flashes.

Waah! Lightning!
Look at the sky, Alti!

WELL THEN
THAT’S NOT OMINOUS AND TERRIFYING AT ALL...

It’s incredible! Red clouds are swirling!
Then the ground starts rumbling. This is seriously dangerous and not good.

Waah! It happened again!
This tower feels like it’s going to shake apart any moment!
So hurry up and put the Time Gears in place to stop it!!

Let’s hustle, Alti!

Are those... stairs?


… what do you think it is?

It has a strange, mystical feel...
It’s gorgeous too. I love it.
Music: Temporal Pinnacle

Alti: (…............)
(There’s a big circular pattern...)
(Inside are indentations that look like they’ve been gouged out...)
(What is this...?)
(…! Wait a second!)
Looks like Alti figured it out.

(The gouged-out indentations... There are five in all.)
(Five slots... That means...!)
Ray: What? Five slots?

Yep, looks like Ray got it too.

(Side note: Take a look at the arrangement of the five holes there. They aren’t spaced so as to make a perfect pentagon between them. In fact, by the looks of it, there are 12 of the little red circles. Every other one is where one of the holes is, except for the very top one, which is intact. If there were a sixth hole there, it would be perfectly symmetrical and logical.

Fans have wondered for a while if this has something to do with the fact that the volcano environment, while given art early on as a theoretical Time Gear location – even to the point where Explorers of Darkness has it as its title screen art – never shows up in the game proper as a Time Gear adventure location. We’ve seen four of the five locations for ourselves – Treeshroud Forest and the three lakes – and the fifth, an underground cavern, is both Sky’s title screen and is shown when Grovyle collects the Time Gears early in the game.

So whatever happened to the unused volcano location and its Time Gear?)

We might prevent time from stopping!
We had better! Otherwise what was the point of this whole journey?!

OK! I’ll do it!
He’s about to go up, but...

Lightning strikes us and we get knocked back. Surprised we’re not dead??


Well then. This does not bode well.

Voice: GRRRRRRRR...
WELL THAT’S NOT OMINOUS AT ALL...

SO! IT’S YOU!
It is! It’s us! Who are you!

YOU SEEK THE DESTRUCTION OF TEMPORAL TOWER!
Yeah we’re here to saWait, wait what. No. No that is not what we are here for

Music: Down a Dark Path

Ray: What?! You’re wrong!
We’re here to prevent time from stopping!
I mean we have the Time Gears and everything!

TIME... STOPPING...
YEAH PLEASE LISTEN,,, WE DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME I MEAN THAT IN THE MOST LITERAL SENSE POSSIBLE


Um, what


OH GOD NO THIS DOES NOT LOOK GOOD FOR US
(DIALGA DOESN’T LOOK TOO GOOD EITHER HE’S VERY DARK AND ORANGE...)

Dialga: GRR-OOOOOOO!
YOU! YOU DARE BRING RUIN TO THE TOWER!
no!!!! why won’t you Listen :(

Ray: No! That’s wrong!
We want to prevent the Tower from collapsing...
Dialga: SILENCE! GRR-OOOOOOO!
Yeah he’s not listening to you in the slightest... Well shit

FOR ALL THOSE WHO THREATEN TEMPORAL TOWER...
I WILL SHOW NO MERCY!

Ohhhhhhh dear.

Ray: It’s no use, Alti!
He’s not listening to us at all!
Do bosses ever?

Alti: (Dialga is losing control because time is breaking down!)
Yeah we should... fix that...

(But...)
(This isn’t like Primal Dialga in the future...)
Yeah, he can talk.

(He’s not yet fully consumed by the power of darkness!)
(There’s still a chance that Dialga can be brought back to reason!)
Yeah. We need to PUT THE TIME GEARS IN PLACE

(There’s still hope!)
Ray: H-here he comes, Alti!
It’s time.

Dialga: GRRR-OOOOOO!

So here we are...
Music: Dialga’s Fight to the Finish! (One of the most spectacular tracks in the game. Be sure to listen.)

Well... Dialga’s an ass to fight, mostly because he has Roar of Time which hits everyone in the room. It has a decently high miss chance but is a terrifying threat and I’m more scared of this than any preceding boss fight.

Let’s go

Alti leads with a Gravelerock (her only option) as Ray moves toward her...

… and we’re already in hell.

Surprisingly, though, it doesn’t kill either of us, but Ray is left with pretty low HP. However, Roar of Time has the side effect of forcing Dialga to take a turn off (a la Hyper Beam), which we use to get a tile closer.


Then Dialga unpauses and comes up to meet us as Ray hits it with Quick Attack.

Next turn I have Ray use Screech as Alti uses Water Gun.
Time to go nuts!!


OH GOD NO ANCIENTPOWER BOOST WE ARE DEAD


Well, I got revived. But Dialga got an Attack boost. Hooray.

It doesn’t help that Dialga has the Intimidator IQ skill, which means sometimes we can just... not attack. It sucks.

All right Ray, hit with Force Palm. You can do it buddy...


lol shit I forgot to switch him to actually use Force Palm. All right... Well... Let’s hope we survive another turn. I only brought one Reviver Seed.


WELL I SURVIVED AND IT MISSED RAY SO THAT’S GOOD???
PANICKING THOUGH LOOK AT THOSE TINY HP COUNTS.
All right Ray, fucking hit it please


Or not.
Let’s go again.

(Restarting from the tower midpoint even though I savestated at the top for legitimacy reasons.)


Well this game doesn’t want me to finish clearly

… (I died and reset)


Here we are again.


This time Dialga makes my life easier by not leading with Roar of Time. Glad for that.


Well, until now... but it misses both Ray and Alti, thankfully, but pauses nonetheless. Let’s go.


Well. I thought it paused. I guess not. Whatever, we’re here now and Dialga’s paused now. All right...


rip I hate this :c


ffffffff all right one more time

After several deaths in the Tower, we finally make it back to Dialga...


Partway in, Ray dies and is revived. However, we’ve already dealt a decent amount of damage at this point, Alti is still at full health, and Dialga hasn’t used Roar of Time or gotten any stat boosts. I feel good about this... knock on wood.


Augh shit! Gonna play it safe and use an Oran Berry while Ray continues to fight.


Ray has 6 HP... and I’m out of Oran Berries. All right, time to hope we can succeed with a few more attacks.


Well, this means we can’t deal damage to Dialga because of how Freeze works in Mystery Dungeon. But this does give us a free turn to try to figure out what to do about Ray.

… the answer is nothing lmao.


So I send him away to attack from a distance with Quick Attack while Alti bears the brunt of Dialga’s wrath. We have to do it soon or I’m done for.


OH SWEET LUCK


All right, Dialga’s down. Success!

Dialga: GRR... GRRRRRRRR...
Ray: OK, Alti! It’s time!
While Dialga is still down, I’ll go put in the Time Gears.
I mean. I would assume you do it while Dialga is down, we kind of had to defeat him to progress so


Another tremor surprises Ray. Hurry up dude, we don’t have all day here for you to be surprised by shit. Go!


Oh dear what is occurring

Th-this...
This tremor is the worst it’s been!
Yeah so Hur Ry

Alti: (T-Temporal Tower is...)
COLLAPSING.
GO, RAY
FOR ARCEUS’ SAKE
FOR GROVYLE’S

(Temporal Tower must be nearing total collapse...)
(If... If that were to happen...)
We’d kinda be screwed. Who knows how long until we can meet Celebi and time travel again?

(The destruction will accelerate... until the planet is fully paralyzed!)
Yeah so we KINDA NEED TO GET ON IT


OH GOD WHAT

Ray: Urk! I’ve got to hurry...
YES


It’s hard to put the Time Gears into place!
Yeah, you need to go ahead and Deal and get the Time Gears in there


Hey nice. Looks cool!


Oh wow! That’s really cool.
(And confirms what I thought about one Time Gear being “missing” from the symmetry... The plot thickens.)


The tremors worsen, so we both fall down...


Why...? Why what?

I put the Time Gears where they’re supposed to go!
Oh. Yeah I guess the tremors should have stopped. Oh no... oh dear.

Why won’t these tremors stop?!
It can’t be... Was I too late...?
No... we can’t be. Grovyle sacrificed himself for this...!

Will Temporal Tower continue to collapse...?
Is it too late... to stop the planet’s paralysis...?
It better not be... Oh no.


Lightning strikes the tower and continues to destroy it.


Then...

(...............)
(…......................)
(… Ugh...)
What happened? Did we die?

(Urk... Th-this is...)

Well... it looks like the tremors and lightning have stopped...?


He’s alive too, thankfully.

Hey... Alti...
Wh-where...?

AUGH OH SHIT HE’S AWAKE,,,, SHIT SHIT I’M NOT READY FOR ANOTHER FIGHT...


Wait... does something seem different about him to you...?

Dialga: YOU HAVE NO CAUSE FOR ALARM. I HAVE REGAINED MY REASON.
Oh. Okay... That’s good. No more fights...

Ray: What?
what do you mean ‘what’ excuse u

Dialga: TEMPORAL TOWER HAS TAKEN HEAVY DAMAGE...
BUT IT HAS SURVIVED.
NOW, OBSERVE.
Observe... what


Dialga’s chest diamond began to glow before the screen faded out, and...


Whoa... Lovely.
Music: Time Restored (A lovely, peaceful track.)

(Dialga must be showing this to us...)
(He must be using telepathy to do so.)
I don’t think that’s how telepathy works but all right.


This looks familiar... except it’s colorful and it’s in motion, the water drops are falling... Oh man, what a sight for sore eyes...

Ray: This... It must be Treeshroud Forest.
But it’s not the same! When we were in Treeshroud Forest, time was stopped!
This time it’s actually colorful!! What a concept

Time is... Time is moving again!
Tremendous... So glad for this.


Everyone’s so happy and carefree... We did it.

Everyone looks happy!

THIS IS SO PRETTY ; ;
Although... what the heck happened to the Hidden Land?? It’s all shattered-like...


Jeez. How is the tower still in existence with that much damage? And how are there floating bits of tower there...?

But... it’s still standing!
Temporal Tower didn’t collapse...
It survived!
Good. Good.


THUS, TIME HAS RESUMED IN PLACES WHERE IT HAD STOPPED.
BECAUSE YOU STOPPED THE RUIN OF TEMPORAL TOWER...
THE PLANET’S PARALYSIS HAS BEEN PREVENTED.
I suppose that means Grovyle and Celebi are gone now. Goodbye, sweet prince & princess. May you find happiness wherever you may be.

THE WORLD’S PEACE... HAS BEEN RESTORED.
Ray: R-really?!
We did it, Alti!
We finally did it!
We brought peace to the world!
We did.

Dialga: ALLOW ME TO THANK YOU.
I THANK YOU FOR REACHING THE HIDDEN LAND...
YOU HAD THE COURAGE TO STAND UP TO ME, EVEN AS I RAGED OUT OF CONTROL...
I wish you hadn’t, would’ve made our lives much easier

AND YOU PREVENTED THE RUIN OF TEMPORAL TOWER IN THE NICK OF TIME.
too close for comfort really

THANK YOU. ALL THIS, I OWE TO YOU.
Ray: D-Dialga...
Dialga: BUT ALL IS NOT YET AS IT SHOULD BE... IT WILL TAKE TIME.
yeah i mean,, look at the tower it’s completely ruined

I MUST SEE TO THE REPAIR OF TEMPORAL TOWER.
THE HIDDEN LAND, TOO, HAS BEEN RAVAGED...
BUT THE RAINBOW STONESHIP SHOULD STILL BE OPERABLE...
all right good I hope we can at least get back all right...

AND LAPRAS SHOULD BE AWAITING YOUR RETURN.
Oh, hey, he’s still here?

Ray: OK!
Let’s go home, Alti!
Back to Treasure Town!
Well...
ehm...
you might be able to, but that may not happen for me.

The game issues a save prompt here, and we cut to...


Worth noting is that there’s no music, just an ominous wind-sound.


What? I didn’t say or do anything

Let’s hurry.
Egh... easier said than done. What’s going to happen to Alti? We changed the future... but she hasn’t disappeared.

Alti: (….........)
(…........................)
(My body... feels heavy...)
Well... that’s not a good sign.

(What’s wrong...? Why am I struggling to move...?)
You kind of don’t exist, I would have trouble too if I was losing my existence...

(It’s like... my legs are weighed down...)
(Maybe... now that we changed the future...)
… “maybe”? I mean, that’s what’s going to happen when you change the future. It really should have happened the second the Time Gears were put in place, but I’m not complaining if it means we get more of an ending. (I love bittersweet endings)

(My own disappearance... is drawing near...)
Seems like it...


I THOUGHT WE FIXED THE TIME STREAM OH NO

It’s settled down...
I guess things are still settling back to normal...
All right... Not great but okay.

Let’s go, Alti.
All right...


Oh. Oh no. That’s a light coming from Alti’s body all right

Music: Don’t Ever Forget

(This... This light...)
(… OK...)
she’s just resigned to her fate :(

(Finally...)
(The time has finally arrived...)
(My time with Ray... ends now.)
:(((((( im gonna cry yall


oh nooo :(

Huh? Alti...

raaaaaaaayyyy :(((


Note: This is the first time Alti speaks aloud, instead of using internal dialogue.

It looks like... I have to say good-bye...
Ray: What?! Good-bye?!
What do you mean?!
did you never think about the impact of time changing on the world and on me and grovyle :cccccccccc you poor naive soul

Alti: Dusknoir told me.
If we changed the future, the Pokémon from the future would disappear...
That’s why... I’m destined to disappear too.
noooooo this is so upsetting :c

Ray: Huh? What? Wh-why?
Wh-why...? I don’t understand!
this poor child cannot handle this ; ;


The lights are growing more in number and more frequent.

I’m going to disappear from here now...
But, Ray... I’ll never forget you.
augh those are nice words but you’re going to disappear Alti :c


Rayyyyy don’t make this harder than it needs to be

I only made it this far because you were with me, Alti.
I knowww and that’s what makes this so upsetting

Don’t you understand...? You made me strong, Alti...
If you go, Alti... I...
I don’t know... what I would...
I don’t have a choice... or else I wouldn’t be doing this, Ray.

Alti: No, Ray. You have to be strong on your own. You have to live!
We saved the world... make use of it.

You have to go home...
Tell everyone about what happened here.
So that... nothing like this happens ever again.
No more questions about the fate of the world. We need to work for peace...

Ray: Urk... Alti...

The lights grow stronger.

Alti: (…! The light...)
(The light is getting brighter...)
Ray: Don’t, Alti!
Don’t... Don’t go...
I can’t not :(

Alti: Thank you for everything, Ray.
I’m glad we got to train together at the guild...
I’m glad we got to go on adventures together...
I’m glad... I got to know you, Ray.
aughghh ; ;
It was... a great time, though, really.

Ray: Wait... Alti...
Alti: I’m sorry.
I’m so lucky that you were my friend...
Ray: I feel the same, Alti! To me, Alti, you’re...
Don’t even say it, we can’t deal with it if you do...


:(

Alti: Yes... I feel the same way.
Ray...
Even after I disappear from here... I will never forget you...
Despite the illogical nature of that statement... somehow I can believe it.


It’s the end...


oh ray :(


He continues alone.
Music: Have to Get Home

... I have to live... I have to get home alive...
You have to fulfill my last wish...

... Get home... and tell everyone about what happened.
Because it’s... Alti’s...
It’s Alti’s... last wish...
Yeah... exactly.


Here, the dialogue moves at a fixed pace, meaning this scene always proceeds at the same speed.
Music: Farther Away...

(If you’re interested in watching the ending scene in its entirety – which I would recommend – check it out here. Leaving Temporal Tower begins at 7:49.)

There’s the Rainbow Stoneship...

His last farewell to the spot of Alti’s disappearance.


getting farther and farther away...
Oh...

.....................
And Alti... I’m getting farther away from Alti...
I’m not there anymore but I understand what you mean. Heartbreaking.

Oh, Alti...
Ray...


Music: A Wish for Peace

finally succeeded in their mission...
and saved the world from disaster.
Ray departed from Temporal Tower...
traveled across the ravaged Hidden Land...
Alone? Wow...

rode Lapras across the sea...
and safely returned to Treasure Town.

It’s so upsetting to see him here alone :(

Ray told everyone about the adventure...
about what happened in the Hidden Land...
about what took place in Temporal Tower...
about Grovyle... and about Alti.
I bet they were upset to hear that...

Of course, Ray also spoke of how the destruction of time was stopped...
He better have! That was the whole point.

and how the world was restored to peace.

to as many Pokémon as possible.
It was a story that had to be told.
It’s the way to remember Alti’s existence here.

It was a story of hope for world peace.
It was a story of hope for future peace.

Treasure Town returned to its cheerful routines...
the scars from the planet’s injuries slowly healed...
and life gradually returned to normal...
Good. It wouldn’t have meant much if the planet was still ravaged, even if we did save Temporal Tower and time.

Then...


Ray: Yes. Out for a walk.
Bidoof: Sounds nice, yup yup!
It’ll be dinnertime soon, though. You don’t want be late for that!
lol of course not.

Ray: OK. Understood.
Where is Ray going...?


Music: On the Beach at Dusk


We saved the world to preserve moments like this.


aaaaa ; ;

I haven’t seen this for a long time. It’s as beautiful as I remember.
I’ve just been too busy to come and see it.
But I’ve missed this... fantastic sight.
It sure is lovely.

..................
I wonder when it was when I last saw this...
We saw Lapras crossing the sunset, but there weren’t any bubbles...

The last time was...
Oh... The last time I saw this...

Yes... I suppose it was.

Music: Memories Returned


What happened?! Are you OK?
Jeez that was a long time ago.
Over six months ago for me... and a long time for Ray too.


I noticed someone... right here...
You didn’t... come over here expecting to see Alti again, did you...?

Alti was... unconscious...
That was when... Alti and I...
That was when our adventure began.
The beginning of a grand tale of time and darkness.


I’m convinced that I can form an effective exploration team with you, Alti.
So will you? Please?

Ha ha ha! Your stomach growled too, Alti!
We must have worked up a big appetite!
We were so focused on rescuing Azurill that I didn’t notice at all!
But now I’m even hungrier!
Come on, let’s go get dinner, Alti!

Yes! I totally believe in you, Alti!

One day I’m sure I’ll solve the secret of my Relic Fragment.
That’s the dream I have.
If it ever came true, I’d surely faint from sheer happiness!
Ha ha ha ha!

Ray: Urk... This is scary...
But we need to be brave!
And I need to face up to this!
There’s no giving up now, Alti!

Ray: …............
Are you taking in this view, Alti? This is so magical!

Alti: (There’s a break in the rope!)
Grovyle: Now! Attack!
Ray: Go!

You tried to pick me up because I was feeling down.



Onward to Azelf’s lake!

We have to... We have to get back!
Back to our own world!

We have to do this for Grovyle’s sake! Let’s go to Temporal Tower!

Ray...

All those memories of my time with Alti...
… Memories... of Alti...
Rayyyyy...


And Alti... isn’t here anymore...

Oh god no Ray please :(((((

Bidoof: You’ve been gone so long, I took to worrying about you...
Wh-what’s the matter?

Music: Ending Theme Intro
(This accompanies another scene that proceeds at a fixed rate. It’s only 35 seconds, so make sure you listen to all of it before proceeding to the next track.)


Bidoof: Wa-wah?! What all is the matter?

This screen finishes out the track, then...


Music: Ending Theme
The full credits sequence (and the scene that follows) can be watched starting at 18:03 of the video I linked to before.

After the credits...


Music: Time Restored


WHEN YOU LEFT HERE...
WHEN YOU BID FAREWELL TO THIS PLACE FROM THE RAINBOW STONESHIP...
YOUR SORROW... I FELT ITS INTENSITY EVEN HERE.
The poor soul was beside himself...

AND IF THAT IS HOW YOU FEEL EVEN NOW...
AND IF Alti WERE TO SHARE THOSE FEELINGS...

His... wish?

THE WORLD NEEDS YOU BOTH.
Both...??

THAT IS WHY... I WILL TRUST YOU WITH A GIFT.
I LEAVE TO YOU... THE FUTURE!

Cool...

PLEASE ACCEPT IT!
Dialga roars... and...

back at the beach...

Music: Epilogue Theme


This looks familiar...


I’m back??


Ray...


; ;


And... that’s that.

Of course, the game may be over, but we haven’t even gotten 5% of the Pokémon available to recruit – not to mention there’s still two Special Episodes left and a whole post-game plot waiting for us. Join us later as we return to the catch-em-all quest. Updates should (hopefully) be more frequent from here on out, as I mentioned before, partially because life has calmed down and partially because the end of the game means a little less dialogue and a little more gameplay freedom. I love this game to bits, but believe it or not I already had to take down its script once (for something that became obsolete basically as soon as I finished it, no less) so doing it again was... uh... not the most enjoyable experience, no matter how much I love the game. Should be better now though.

Remember, there’s still Pokémon to recruit that you can suggest names for! The following list includes the Pokémon from Treeshroud Forest and Brine Cave, where I can now recruit Pokémon (Hidden Land and Temporal Tower are for some reason off-limits though), as well as the first dungeon of the post-game.

Pokémon: Kadabra, Ralts, Cherrim, Houndoom, Ninetales, Alakazam, Kirlia, Vespiquen, Seel, Omanyte, Kingler, Pelipper, Gastrodon-W, Tentacool, Dewgong, Staryu, Dragonair, Walrein, Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Metapod, Rattata, Raticate, Spearow, Nidoran-F, Nidoran-M, Venonat, Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Exeggcute, Koffing, Scyther, Eevee, Chikorita, Bayleef, Aipom, Teddiursa, Wurmple, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Roselia, Gulpin, Flygon, Turtwig, Grotle, Torterra, Bidoof, Stunky, Skuntank, Munchlax, Kricketot

You can also suggest legendaries you’d like me to go after for recruitment – right now, we currently have accessible Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, and Dialga.

26/525: 4.9%
Caterpie (Xander)
Butterfree (Papillon)
Weedle (Bean)
Beedrill (Bumble)
Sandshrew (Simon)
Machop (Jon)
Grimer (BetoBeto)
Rhyhorn (Cake)
Tangela (DayumBoy)
Spinarak (Catallia)
Mareep (C3PO)
Hoppip (Alma)
Wooper (Axol)
Elekid (Firegg)
Larvitar (Savannah)
Lotad (Orchid)
Nincada (Illinois)
Electrike (Direction)
Minun (Negative)
Barboach (Dojo)
Beldum (Nickel)
Starly (Merel)
Budew (Sprout)
Combee (Hexa)
Glameow (Smudge)
Hippopotas (Duke)
 
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So do you plan to tackle the post game episodes at any particular milestones? I could see episode 4 happening at the Midway of post-game, but curious where you'll fit the final one if they don't happen immediately (which I doubt to cool off on script and screenshots for a bit).

Also, because I'm too impatient for my own good, I'm gonna just bring up the thing I mentioned that makes the Dusknoir confrontation and ending harsher to me. Even more massive spoilers than my last one in here. Warning for blind runners/followers.

The way Grovyle and Alti get separated for the last time basically mirrors the way they were separated the first time. One takes an attack for the other, and then they're separated across time travel. First time happens while traveling presumably (no visual given so it's hard to say exactly), the second precedes the last time travel in the story.

There are also some oddly coincidental resemblances between Darkrai and Dusknoir, albeit some dissuaded by the Special episode Sky added to extend the latter's screentime. Both are spectral beings bent on preserving themselves and the world of darkness, are among the first to figure out where Alti and their partner fit into the story, initially manipulate them by posing as an ally, whether by reputation or deception, and are depicted as proper villains despite other media usually making them out to be misaccused antagonists like in the 10th movie. Even their boss fights are similar, consisting of You, your partner, and a mid-40's guest against them and a swarm, using the same boss theme, which end when the wounded opponent disappears into a time rift.

It's a number of overlaps that make me think it had to be intentional on some level. I think it's fitting thematically since they're both the Heavy for their respective stories as antagonists (Dialga's the final boss, but present and future Primal are just kinda giant monsters in terms of character).

On a sidenote, there's a set of NPC's I'm surprised Sky didn't add content for, whether in post game or a Special episode.
 
Congratulations on bringing the main story to a close! Glad to see that you had just as much trouble with Dialga as we all did.

I always found a few things interesting about Temporal Tower, which I'll talk about now.

Alright, so Ray mentions that the slots for the Time Gears look "gouged out". To support this, when you put the gears back into the slots, the panel repairs itself and changes from red (usually indicating danger) to blue (usually indicating that everything is fine). This is really why I think Darkrai sabotaged the tower by ripping the time gears out and scattering them - they were never supposed to leave the tower in the first place.

Which, of course, brings me back around to the original question: why were the Lake Guardians, especially Uxie, so intent on keeping the gears where they were instead of returning them to the tower?

On an unrelated note, pika pal , are you talking about Team Raider?
 
pika pal: You've got some interesting points there in the spoiler box. I'll address them more thoroughly when I get that far. Thanks!
lucariomaster2: Same with you lol, a great point but spoileriffic for the present time so I'll save that discussion for later.



the destruction of time was stopped...
and peace returned to the world of Pokémon.
Finally.

Of course, not everything returned to normal right away.
Because that’d be too much to ask right?

Some places remained where time was still out of control...

But why?????? We fixed that problem. We put the time gears in place and that was that, right?? Why is this the case
(And yes, I know it’s because we need an impetus to continue our missions, which exist because of the outbreak of mystery dungeons, which in turn results from the time problems, but still)

But overall, things were becoming better everywhere.
As for Alti and Ray...
They returned to Wigglytuff’s Guild...
We saved the world, I don’t know we really need to be at the guild anymore but okay

One morning, several months later...

… that’s a thing ???? I mean I guess, but wow
Music: Wigglytuff’s Guild Remix

Chatot: That’s right. Graduation from the guild! ♪
You sound so chipper about it, wouldn’t you want us here?

If you graduate, you can leave the guild.
You’ll be rid of the harsh daily training program too.
… it doesn’t seem that harsh if literally all we were doing was just... going on missions?


<horrid flashbacks to comps exams>
DO NOT WANT...

Corphish: Hey, hey, hey! Chatot!
Hey, hey! We’ve been around a lot longer than those two.
have u gotten all the necessary credit hours i dont think so

Although I will say I would have liked it a lot if, like, a new rookie had joined the guild after us, just because that would have been an interesting twist. Or if one of the other apprentices graduated while we were here. More to show the life of the guild, I mean.

Hey, hey! Why do Alti and Ray get to take the graduation exam before we do?
again! Credit hours

Chatot: They’ve already proven themselves to be worthy many times over.
If by that you mean we have all the necessary credit hours to graduate then yes
(I’ll shut up about that now)


i think that’s a pretty important thing to consider yeah

It’s only natural that they’ve earned the right to be tested.
… And that’s how it goes. We will soon conduct the graduation exam. I expect you to be prepared for it! ♪
ok but like... What Are We Doing. Is it a written test or an oral test or a practical field test??? You have told us very little

Sunflora: Loudred took the graduation exam last year.
Corphish: And promptly failed! Hey, hey!
rip loudred

Loudred: G-g-get LOST!
riiiiiip loudred

Ray: So... What do we have to do for this graduation exam?
ok glad someone is asking


The what now?

You should find a place called Luminous Spring there.
Ray: Luminous Spring?
Wigglytuff: Yup! ♪ It was where Pokémon once went to evolve.
… ok but 1) “once” and 2) WHY, WHATEVER HAPPENED TO NATURAL EVOLUTION
(yes I know it’s the same thing as Rescue Team but I’m still confused)

But maybe because of the time troubles we had... no sunlight shines on the spring now.
… and sunlight is a necessity for evolving... what???

Now nothing can evolve there.
Chatot: We want you to travel to Luminous Spring. And return with its treasure! ♪
All right sounds, uh, doable?

If you can bring that treasure back to the guild, you pass the exam.
So it’s the “find the gold shell” mission from Beach Bowl in Mario Galaxy except not nearly as dumb and filler-y.

You will then be recognized as a fully trained exploration team...
And graduate from the guild with full honors! ♪
As opposed to no honors. What

Ray: OK! We have to bring back the treasure!

Awww yeah let’s g-

Wigglytuff: But... you have to watch out for one thing.
… yes?

There you’ll find... a frighteningly strong enemy.
Uh


The WHAT NOW
EXCUSE ME

Ray: The... grand master of all things bad?!
Wigglytuff: Yup.
The grand master is terribly wicked.
… yes, that’s what the “OF ALL THINGS BAD” part kinda implies

It’s a horrifying presence that no one would ever want to meet...
Well... shit


… well... shit
Music: Guildmaster Wigglytuff

Ray: What... Huh?!
Chatot: That will do for the morning briefing!
NO
EXCUSE YOU
WE’RE NOT DONE
WE NEED MORE INFORMATION

All right, everyone! ♪ Let’s get down to work! ♪
NO STOP YOU ARE TOO CHIPPER ABOUT THIS SCENARIO


NO!!!


Yeah that’s a Name if I ever heard one...

Hey, Loudred!

just gonna cheat by asking about it upfront huh

Can you tell us what the grand master of all things bad was like?
Loudred: Ugh, I’m sorry, but I’m NOT allowed to talk about it. It’s the guild rule. I CAN’T talk about it.
Good, they had the foresight to make him sign an NDA

But... I will tell you this.

… shit

What I went through... Even now, when I let myself remember it...
WAAAAAH!
And he runs off terrified.
Greaaaat

Ray: Ugh... Loudred didn’t tell us anything useful.
We’ll just have to do our best to graduate on our own.
I mean. Yeah. That should be the point of a graduation exam.

Let’s go to Treasure Town and get ready.
All right, sounds good.


Going to Treasure Town, though we get into a scripted event.

Ray: Hey, Teddiursa and Ursaring!
What’s going on? Are you going out somewhere?

Oh, have fun with thaWait, what

Ray: What?! Mystifying Forest?!
But isn’t it dangerous there?
I mean. Isn’t every mystery dungeon technically dangerous? (No I know what he means)

Haven’t you heard? The grand master of all things bad is supposed to be there.
Ursaring: The grand master of all things bad?
Yeah it’s a real bitch apparently

I’ve never... heard of anything like that.
You’re sure you’re not making a mistake?
Well. We aren’t but it’s possible the guild is. I don’t know?? Like. This doesn’t line up

Teddiursa: We go play in Mystifying Forest often.
… oh...

We’ve never seen or even heard of a grand master.
WELL THEN

Ursaring: You must have misheard a bad rumor or something.
Stop gaslighting me this is what Chatot and Wigglytuff and Loudred said!!!!!!!

Let’s go.
Teddiursa: Bye.

… bye...

Ray: … Something’s not right.
That doesn’t sound anything like what Wigglytuff said.
Yyyyyyeah

It’s not as if we can do anything about it. Let’s get ready and go out to Mystifying Forest.
Sounds fair. Let’s go


Yes, yes it is.
Music: Mystifying Forest

I have no idea what we’re going to see in there...
Trees? Plants? Pokémon maybe?

But this is our mission. Get to the deepest part of the forest and bring back the treasure.
we saved the world from Dialga and Dusknoir we can totally do this

That’s our graduation exam.
Let’s pass this exam and graduate from the guild!
aww yeah it Time

Let’s not blow this, Alti!
lol even if we do I don’t think it’s the end of the world. Not like last time anyway


Mystifying Forest is the first of the post-game dungeons to have a new gimmick introduced in Explorers. Basically, the dungeon has a very large pool of Pokémon that can be found. However, unlike previous dungeons and in Rescue Team, the Pokémon are not assigned any strict floors that they can appear on. Rather, each time you move to a new floor, the game generates a random assortment of Pokémon from the dungeon list, and those are the options that might appear on the floor.
It’s an interesting way to get around the problem MD1 had of needing way too many dungeons to house all the game’s Pokémon: just put a lot more into the dungeon and let random selection do its thing.

The options in Mystifying Forest are: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Metapod, Rattata, Raticate, Spearow, Nidoran-F, Nidoran-M, Venonat, Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Exeggcute, Koffing, Scyther, Eevee, Chikorita, Bayleef, Aipom, Teddiursa, Wurmple, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Roselia, Gulpin, Flygon, Turtwig, Grotle, Torterra, Bidoof, Stunky, Skuntank, Munchlax, and Kricketot.
These are all at varying levels, too, from 5-7 for the first-stage starters to 40-42 for Skuntank, Torterra, and Flygon. Kinda nuts lmao

I’m pretty sure we can’t recruit anything until after the Guild’s graduation mission, though.


oh my god... exeggcute that aren’t impossibly rare... what a concept


… good


evolution items that aren’t ridiculously rare... amazing


After 13 floors, we’ve apparently come “quite deep” despite it looking like we’re in an open space.

Luminous Spring can’t be too much farther.

… eh??


Oh hey. Following up on prior stuff!

You’re here too!
Teddiursa: Yup.
Ursaring: We often come play here.
But why tho

So, how’s it going? Did you see your grand master of all things bad?
:( don’t be condescending!!!!! it might exist you don’t knoooooow!!!!!!!

Ray: No. Nothing like that.
Ursaring: See? I told you that you only heard a rumor.
stop that! :((((

Teddiursa: Why are you two here?
wh uh don’t-don’t CONFRONT me like that what are you DOING

Are you in search of that grand master?
well. I mean. That’s not what we are here for but it was implied we would probably be facing it??

Ray: No, we’re not.
stop BULLYING us

We’re searching for Luminous Spring.
Teddiursa: Oh, Luminous Spring?
That’s just up ahead here.
Ray: What? Really?
Perfect!!! We doned it

Teddiursa: In fact, we were on our way there.
Want to come with us?
Sure I... guess?

Ursaring: Yeah, come with us if you want.
Yeah?? We will we just. We just said that


All right su-


OH
I guess I should have seen that coming.

Ray: Waaaaah!

Well dang. What is this rock-pit under the ground wtf

Ray: Th-this is...
Alti: (Was that... a pitfall trap?)
I mean. There was a bush-thing so yeah maybe?

(We fell down a pitfall trap! That’s what happened to us...
So it seems.


Then the light fades and the hole becomes pitch-black.

The hole’s closing up!
Oh is that what happened? All right

Waah! It’s pitch black! I can’t see a thing!
Are we trapped?!
Well, can you jump?


WHAT
WHO THAT?????

Alti: (What...? Someone’s here!)
Ray: Who is it? Who are you?!
Music: Growing Anxiety

Voice: Welcome... to the world of darkness.
Well... shit

I am the grand master of all things bad.
AUGH NO!!!! SHIT

Ray: Whaaaat?!
The G-g-g-grand master of all things bad?!
welp
this is unfortunate

Voice: Humph! Not only the grand master, but more of us besides! ♪
oh god no a group ambush
do not
do not want

Voice: A BUNCH of us minions of the grand master are here!
HOW MANY IS A BUNCH!!!! PLEASE

Minion: You can’t see us in the dark... but you’re completely surrounded!
Well you can’t see us in the dark either so how do you know we’re surrounded? Checkmate atheists

Grand Master: Muah-hahahaha! Muah-hahahaha-hahahaha!
that’s not ominous at all :(

Coming to our lair is the last mistake you will ever make. You’re not walking out of here.
CAN WE NOT DO THIS ALL I WANT TO DO IS GRADUATE THE GUILD I SAVED THE WORLD DAMMIT

Prepare to...

Uh
well
this is awkward.


It explains a lot though

Ray: What?! Wigglytuff?!
And everyone else?!
What’s going on here?!

Music: Guildmaster Wigglytuff

Why did you take the cover off?
Bidoof: Uh, what? Whoops!

why does this not surprise me in the slightest...

M-maybe I did something I shouldn’t have...?
Dude. I mean. If they asked you to do something you probably should have... done that and not asked questions.

Uh, helping out with the graduation exam and all...
This is all so new to me, I don’t have the foggiest idea about what I should be doing...
Maybe... following directions?? What a concept

Minion (Chatot): Arrgh! What a farce...
Ray: Listen, Wigglytuff. Can you please tell us what’s going on?
are you serious Ray... isn’t it kinda obvious. This is the graduation test.


ok this might make more sense if you had a Name but you are called the name of your species and you are LITERALLY A WIGGLYTUFF...

Ray: What?!
Grand Master: I am the grand master. I know nothing of your so-called Wigglytuff.
Music: The Power of Darkness
but
but????

Ray: Whaaat?!
Minion (Chatot): Uh... that’s right! And we’re the grand master’s minions!
Well... shit

Minion (Sunflora): Oh my gosh! That is so right! I don’t know any Pokémon named Sunflora!
if that’s the case why do you know her NAME HUH

Minion (Corphish): Hey, hey, hey!
Ray: Wh-what’s going on here?!
sigh... Ray...

Grand Master: Coming to our lair is the last mistake you will ever make. You’re not walking out of here.
eugh this is still gonna suuuuck

Prepare to face the terror that is the grand master of all things bad!
shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shi

YOOM... TAH!

Music: The Gatekeepers (For a boss battle...? All right...)
And... fight against the whole guild (sans Bidoof) ensues.

This is actually a pretty tough fight and I know a lot of people have reported having difficulty with it. Let’s see how it goes.


… one down I guess...?
(Dugtrio and Diglett have Earth Power which hits all enemies in the room, much like Discharge. Glad they didn’t use it here.)


WELL... SHIT


this is SO not going well


I DONT KNOW HOW I GOT HERE BUT THIS IS STILL TERRIFYING
Alti has the Bodyguard IQ skill, which means she basically takes damage for Ray when he’s at low health. I decide to heal Alti to give her more ability to do that while letting Ray use super-effective Force Palm on Wigglytuff.


only one more to beat :BBB


RAY
WIN IT FOR US


Somehow, two Force Palms do not finish off Wigglytuff. Ray prevents sleep with Nonsleeper, though, and Alti wakes up in a decent time, thankfully.


awwwww yisssss FIRST TRY BITCHES


I DON’T KNOW HOW I PULLED THAT OFF.


we done it

Everyone, run away!

bye


All the guild members flee.


What a battle.

What was that all about, I wonder...?
Ray... I’m sorry... You’re kind of dense.

Well, I guess we’re done here.
We should move on... Let’s go to Luminous Spring.

Oh hey. Fancy seeing you here?

Ursaring: Oh, it’s you!
What happened to you two? I thought you two were tagging along behind us...
Something uhhh came up I guess

Ray: Uh... Something held us up.
yeah that

Anyway... what’s going on?
Ursaring: Well, see, there’s a treasure box here.
… yes, and Wigglytuff told us to pick up a treasure at Luminous Spring, so that’s not super surprising tbh

Teddiursa: There wasn’t a treasure box here before.
GOOD OBSERVATION...

I want to open it, but I’m also getting a creepy feeling from it.

w h y

Ursaring: You know, it’d be nasty it’s a booby trap or something.
MMM
WHAT A CONCEPT.

So we’ve been debating whether we should open it or leave it be.
Just... go away please.

Ray: Well then! We’ll open it!
ah sounds good we can open iWait we will??

You see, we got sent here for the guild’s graduation exam.
We were told to bring back the treasure from here.
glad u remembered

Ursaring: That’s it! That box must have something to do with your exam.
w h a t a c o n c e p t

You guys should open it.
you’re just tricking us into doing it so that you don’t have to
ass

Ray: Can I get you to do this, Alti?
i don’t know can you


(But you never know. It could be a trap.)
The guild already ambushed us. I don’t think they’re about to do it again.

(If I can get the Dimensional Scream to activate...)
wait I still have that? The game remembers that I still have it??????
Wow

(That may give me a better idea if this treasure box is safe or not.)

aight

Then the dimming starts.
(The dizziness...)
(The dizziness is starting...)

Oh hey Wigglytuff put it there. Cool.
I figured. Doesn’t mean that’s not a trap though :BBBB

(It was Wigglytuff that put this treasure here...)
(That means... inside this treasure box...)
… uh
but... how can you tell just by looking at Wigglytu-ohhhhhh


ah.

Teddiursa: It’s a Perfect Apple.
Ray: The treasure of Luminous Spring... It was a Perfect Apple.
many reward
much great
wow

Alti: (A Perfect Apple as the treasure... It suits Wigglytuff, I guess.)
Then there’s some sort of light flash.


Ray: Wa-waah! What was that?!
The spring, formerly darkened, gets lit up.


Ursaring: Light... Light is shining down!
Teddiursa: Oh, then maybe...!
maybe WHAT

Did Luminous Spring regain its power?
Well. I guess Pokémon have to evolve somehow.


WAT
WAT
WHO IS SPEKING

Ray: Waah! Who’s saying that?!
Voice: The resumption of time...
… it... wasn’t stopped tho?? I know what you mean but

has brought light here again.
MAKES SENSE TO ME (lol no)

If you seek evolution, step forward.
Teddiursa: I knew it!
I knew that Luminous Spring would be revived!
well arent u just Great

Ursaring: Good for you, Teddiursa!
You’ve been looking forward to evolution for a long time!
but if time wasn’t working right how could you have been :eyes:

Teddiursa: Yup!
Ray: Evolution?
Oh! That’s right, Wigglytuff mentioned it before...
you
DONT KNOW WHAT EVOLUTION IS ??????
jeeeeeeeeeez what is with this universe...
I know it was the same in Rescue Team but still. Give me this


we need this

Wigglytuff: Yup! ♪ It was where Pokémon once went to evolve.
But maybe because of the time troubles we had... no sunlight shines on the spring now.
Oh well I guess that’s been confirmed since so cool?

Now nothing can evolve there.

yes that was the flashback

But what is evolution?
SERIOUSLY RAY

Ursaring: Oh, you don’t know evolution is? What it means to evolve?
don’t be mean to him (even tho I totally would too)

Teddiursa: Some kinds of Pokémon can evolve if specific conditions are first met.
When a Pokémon evolves, its appearance changes, sometimes dramatically.
Ray: Really?! Your appearance changes?!
… how... how do you think diglett and dugtrio are related otherwise...

Ursaring: That’s right.
And it may not just be how you look that changes, either.
When you evolve, sometimes your form and abilities can even change. How about that?
What do you mean by “form”. Isn’t that already covered under appearance??

Ray: Really?!
Teddiursa: Yup!
I’ve wanted to get stronger.
So I’ve been hoping to evolve for a long time.
If AZ’s Floette is any indication you don’t actually need to evolve to achieve (near) maximum strength.

I’ll try it out right away.

This is Luminous Spring. Do you seek to evolve?
WHO IS SPEAKING!!!!

Teddiursa: Yup! Please!
Voice: Do you need an item to do so?
why is the burden of knowledge on us, shouldn’t Mysterious Voice know if we need an item or not and whether we have it

Teddiursa: Nope! I don’t need one!
Voice: So be it...
Seeker of awakening... Let us begin.

He disappeared. (Great timing! Lol)

Teddiursa’s appearance is changing...

Hey nice.

Ray: Waah! Teddiursa looks just like Ursaring now!
… yes. Yes they are
both
ursaring

Teddi-Ursaring: Yay!
Hey, Ursaring! I’ve evolved!
Ursaring: Congratulations! All the leveling up you went through finally paid off!
Now it’s hard to tell us apart...
shoulda thought of that earlier HUH

But good for you!

HUH
NO
NO DO NOT WANT. YOU NEED TO BE A RIOLU UNTIL THE END OF THE MAIN STORY :CCCCC THATS HOW IT WORKS

I’ll try first.
NO!!!!


This is Luminous Spring. Do you seek to evolve?
what do YOU think

Ray: Yes! I want to evolve!
Please! Oh, this is exciting!
Good for you I... guess

Voice: Do you need an item to do so?
Ray: An item? … I don’t know...
Um, no. No item for me.
The partner says this even if they do evolve with an item (Pikachu).

Voice: So be it...
Seeker of awakening... Let us begin.

Uh... what

No. Impossible... You may not evolve.
good What?

Ray: What? Why not?!
Why can’t I evolve?
Is it maybe because I haven’t met my requirements for evolving?
I guess that’s not out of the question if your partner is like Phanpy or something idk

Voice: No. That is not it...
It is not merely a problem of not meeting requirements...
Ray: Then, why?
Teddiursa was able to evolve...
Why can’t I evolve?
Voice: Why can you not evolve...?
do you not know? The all-powerful evolution voice-force in Luminous Spring knows I can’t evolve but not why. Cool...


Excuse me what

Ray: Distortion? The fabric of space?
I mean... I guess if we had time problems in a gen 4 game we’re bound to have space problems too...

Voice: Why that should be, I do not know...
But your presence... is somehow related to the distortion of space itself.
ok but!!!! correlation != causation! We established this in Rescue Team! Nooooo

And as a result of that, you cannot evolve...
No. It is not only you... There is yet another...
… there is?

The one behind you... is also forbidden its evolution.
Well... shit

Ray: What?! Alti too?!
Alti: (What... me too?)
Voice: That is all that I can tell...
This is Luminous Spring. If you seek new evolution, then you shall return...
thats kind of a dickish thing to say isnt it. Just rub it in our faces why dont u


and the light fades like an Ass.
Also rip ray.

I guess you can’t evolve, either, Alti.
I don’t understand why we can’t evolve, though.
FABRIC OF SPACE! The voice said so.

Anyway, we have the Perfect Apple that was in the treasure box.
We should go back to the guild with it.
Sure. We are about to graduate after all.


awww yisss

Congratulations! You two have passed the guild’s graduation exam! ♪
Music: Wigglytuff’s Guild
Hooray!

You did it! ♪
… Oh? Not celebrating?
Ray and Alti just don’t react lmao

Are you maybe not happy?
Ray: Well, yes, I’m happy... But it hasn’t really registered...
That doesn’t mean you can’t pretend?

I don’t think we’ve accomplished anything that special...
Ray oh my god we beat Wigglytuff... are you serious

Wigglytuff: That’s not true at all! Don’t you understand that what you two did was incredible?
You went and brought back a fantastic treasure in a Perfect Apple.
That you put there but all right.

But even better than that...
You defeated that horrifying grand master of all things bad, didn’t you?!
exactly Ray!!

Ray: Urk! But that’s what I don’t understand.

What do you -
oh...

Wigglytuff: … Um... We heard it somewhere?
that is the most weaksauce excuse I’ve ever heard lmao oh wigglytuff you’re a terrible liar

Ray: Besides...
That bad grand master... Wigglytuff wasn’t that you?
THE TRUTH COMES OUT

Wigglytuff: Huh?
Everyone in the guild sweats.


what
WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON’T KNOW THAT DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE

I don’t know what you’re talking about. G-grand master of all things bad?
WOW
WOW
I’M BEING GASLIT BY WIGGLYTUFF
WOW.


I know nothing! The grand master’s minions? What are they?
Chatot you are also not helping like
at all

Corphish: Hey, hey! Me too!
Sunflora: Eek! I don’t know any minions!
You guys are horrible at this.


Music: Guildmaster Wigglytuff
… ok.

Ray: Everyone... What’s going on...?
It’s okay Ray I know the truth. You’re not mistaken

Chatot: Anyway! You two have now officially graduated from the guild! ♪
From now on, you will no longer be bound by the guild’s strict regulations.
Cool I... guess

You’ll be free to operate as an exploration team totally on your own! ♪
I guess that means no early days anymore?

Ray: Oh! Right!
Does that mean from now on...

That’s excellent, Alti!
Oh hey! That’s a pretty good benefit to g

Chatot: No. Unfortunately for you, that aspect doesn’t change at all.
As before, you will still have to give most of that money to the guild.
Whaaaaaaaat why

Ray: What?! Wh-why...?
Chatot: Graduation from the guild means you’re still affiliated with us.
Your team, Team Hurricane, can operate only because of this guild.
tch

So you’ll need to accept that as part of being an exploration team! ♪
well what are you going to do to us if we don’t. Like. How are you going to enforce that

Ray: Urk! But, I mean, it’s not like anything has changed from before...
Sunflora: Eek! You don’t understand! Graduating from the guild is extraordinary!
ok but WHY

Loudred: That’s right!
I should know! Even I couldn’t pass the graduation exam!
Speaking of which. So, Loudred took the graduation exam before, right? Which means he (probably) had to face the Grand Master. Okay, so far so good, except. He was involved in our fight against the Grand Master, which means now he knows that’s the gimmick, and also so does everyone else.
So like... what? Are they just gonna change the concept next time or what? How does that work?

HAW-HAW-HO-HO-HAW!
… rip loudred

Wigglytuff: Anyway, you two have passed the exam with flying colors! ♪
awesomeeee

I hope you’ll keep up your great work as explorers! ♪
lol no we’re going to use our saved money to retire happily

Ray: Wigglytuff...
Chimecho: Congratulations, Ray and Alti!
Sunflora: Oh my gosh! How wonderful!
good time was had by all

Corphish: Hey, hey, hey!

he’s more emotional about this than we are lol

Loudred: Drop in on your old friends now and then!
I need to snoop in y’alls diaries and also take missions from the board so yep

Ray: E-everyone...
Wigglytuff: Congratulations, Team Hurricane! ♪

aww yeah

Ray: Oh... E-e-everyone... Thank you, everyone!

oh have they now

Alti’s team was rewarded with an enlarged Treasure Bag!
Also, as start-up funds for the newly affiliated team...
Team Hurricane received 10,000 Poké!
THATS A LOT HELL YEA

One more thing...

That’s the last one. We won’t be doing it until we finish the post-game plot, though, for Reasons


\o/!!!!


This looks familiar...


Oh huh I guess so.

Let’s live here from now on.
The whole idea of graduating hasn’t sunk in much yet...
I mean we literally found out today we were graduating and then we Did so

But let’s keep going on as an exploration team like we always have!
Sure, I mean what else would we do?

From now on...

Awesome!

Let’s head to the guild and check the Job Bulletin Board and the Outlaw Notice Board for jobs!
sure lets go!!!

It’s a new beginning for us, Alti!
Yep!


Ok?
It just tells us we can save our game on the beds in the new base, not interesting.

Next time: A couple of (hopefully recruit-heavy) missions... and a mountain-climbing adventure!

26/525: 4.9%
Caterpie (Xander)
Butterfree (Papillon)
Weedle (Bean)
Beedrill (Bumble)
Sandshrew (Simon)
Machop (Jon)
Grimer (BetoBeto)
Rhyhorn (Cake)
Tangela (DayumBoy)
Spinarak (Catallia)
Mareep (C3PO)
Hoppip (Alma)
Wooper (Axol)
Elekid (Firegg)
Larvitar (Savannah)
Lotad (Orchid)
Nincada (Illinois)
Electrike (Direction)
Minun (Negative)
Barboach (Dojo)
Beldum (Nickel)
Starly (Merel)
Budew (Sprout)
Combee (Hexa)
Glameow (Smudge)
Hippopotas (Duke)
 
And now begins the post-game. I wonder if the Graduation exam is the same every time or just what your team in particular had to deal with. Considering the Guildmaster's reputation, the idea of beating him and everyone else at once seems pretty intense for any single apprentice looking to graduate.

And as for the graduation not waiving your fees, it begs a question for me: does your team NEED the guild to operate anymore? The only service that it provides that you can't get elsewhere is Chimecho Assembly, but by indication several other teams operate without said service, whether they have more members or not. You have other sources of jobs in this entry especially, and several of your post-game story beats don't directly involve the guild either. Most of the other stuff the Guild does is either glossed over post game (like residence) or basically open to the public anyway (Crogaunk's Swap Shop)
 

NabboCheTesta

Gniubbo come sempre
OMG this game!! One of my all-time favourites. This thread is flooding my mind with memories of my childhood.
btw, for when you'll eventually explore Mt.Mistral, go alone and with a room clearing move, or your exploration might take an.... ominous turn... (just a reminder, 99% sure you already know this).
 
pika pal: Yeah I can't imagine anyone else would have had much like trying to beat up Wigglytuff & Co. We had 2 mons which is the only reason we could do much of anything lol
I've got no idea how we're affiliated with the guild. I think it might be just lies that they use to scam us out of money :p
NabboCheTesta: Glad you like it! I'll keep your note about Mt. Mistral in mind - I don't recall ever having issues there, but who knows what could happen?



Heading over to the crossroads results in an exchange with Chimecho.

Ray: Hey! Chimecho!
What's going on?
Chimecho: Oh, Alti! Ray!
Congratulations on graduating from the guild!
yes we have heard it often

Team Hurricane now gets to operate in association with the guild, right?
Supposedly, but I don't have an idea of what that actually means.

So your Assembly privileges also change! Let the bell ring!
ok??

A new special service is available to you!
Ray: Special service?
dont ask questions just let chimecho explain


and why did we have to come back to the Guild to hear about it?

Chimecho: Well... it's special!
… thanks.

You can now change your leader before your team goes to a dungeon!
Oh, hey. This functionality is back. Cool!

So yeah, we can change our team leader... except, unlike in Rescue Team, this doesn't change your overworld/Treasure Town Pokémon to the one you picked. It will always be Alti and Ray, forever. This helps to nicely fix the problem that Rescue Team had where lots of people got sad after the game finished and they lost the ability to Play The Game with their starter and partner (because the partner basically stops acting like the partner once they go to their Friend Area)! Hooray for that. One of the many ways this improved on MD1.

Ray: The team leader? We can change the leader before going into a dungeon?
Why do you have questions. This isn't hard of a concept

Chimecho: Up to now, Alti was always the team leader on explorations, right?
Yes...? (Why not Ray tho just curious)

Now, because the guild has given your team affiliate status...
You can make any member of Team Hurricane the leader before going into a dungeon! In other words...
You can assemble a dungeon team from only Team Hurricane recruits!
Cool I guess

An exploration team made that way will still be officially recognized!
… does it even matter if they are. They could still go on explorations/rescues. What needs to be “official” about it

Ray: Oh, I get it! So that means...
If we plan to explore a dungeon where our current team will suffer type-based disadvantages...
We can build a totally different team, even changing the team leader, so that we can gain type advantages instead!
Looks like he cottoned on quickly at least

Chimecho: Absolutely!
Of course, there are dungeons that only Alti and Ray may enter.
but why though

I hope you make use of my new service... Anyway, good luck with your exploration-team work!
lol if this LP is anything like last time's we probably won't use it.

Let's take a mission!


Escort mission in Brine Cave with Drifloon!! Fantabulous


Took long enough for something to offer. Named Slugger per an old suggestion.


Named Crab Meat thanks to the bf.


And the escort mission is thankfully easy enough to complete.


For my next mission I take a long-overdue mission from Ullar.


I don't remember if I've been here before. Well, this is what Serenity River looks like. It has random dungeon music, and you can find Poliwag, Wooper, Lotad, Barboach, and Masquerain.

Aaaand I'm escorting a Ground/Rock type. Great


It worked though.


Some dungeons just have treasure boxes at the end. I like that, it really makes it seem more like an exploration.


:o! It's relevant to me! Thanks, Ullar!


Something happens today! Oooo


well it’s time to find out!!!

Mr. Mime: Yeah. It seems like there’s some happy news for all the explorers.
All the explorers???

Octillery: I wonder what kind of happy news.
WELL
LET’S GO FIND OUT!!!!

Octillery: Now I’m really interested. I’m going to go find out.
Mr. Mime: I’m going too.
all right have fun

Ray: Huh? Somehow this all seems familiar, like we’ve done this before...
hmmm

I wonder what’s going on this time.
Hey, Alti, we should go too.
All right lets do it


look at all those NPCs!!!!!!!

Spinda: May I have everyone’s attention, please! First of all, I’d like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules!
we don’t have a schedule anymore :V


oh Do you now

Has anyone here ever heard of a mountain called Sky Peak?
No but I love mountains and the sky so this is already sounding cool af

Octillery: Sky Peak?
Mr. Mime: I’ve heard of it.

OH THIS IS SO LOVELY..................

It’s a really tall mountain to the east.
It’s said that the mountain is so tall, it almost reaches beyond the sky.
Mt. Everest reaches into the jet stream and its peak has 1/3 the air pressure of the oxygen at sea level, does that count? If so I really don’t think anyone ever should bother to climb it without supplemental oxygen. We’re at sea level right now.
(I may or may not fascinated by mountain climbing and Everest specifically lol)

But it’s surrounded by an impassable mountain range, so the route there has been lost.
Lost? Does that mean we once had that route? How did it get lost? Is there history on this? I want to know more about itttttt

That’s why it hasn’t been fully explored yet.
Spinda: Yes, that’s absolutely right. You sure do know your stuff.
Just as Mr. Mime said, Sky Peak has not been fully explored...
So it still holds many mysteries.
Well, cool, but what are we going to do about it if the route has been lost

High enough to reach beyond the sky! A mysterious mountain that still holds many secrets...

hell yeah I’m not even an explorer and it caught my interest

Let’s go and see! See for ourselves!
ok but how are we gonna get there!

If that’s what you’re thinking, then we are ready to fulfill that wish through Project P...
Cool?

We’ve been working on reclaiming the path to Sky Peak...
Oh okay gotcha

And finally, a couple of days ago... we succeeded!
Everyone: HOORAY!
Altissimo: HOORAY!
(naw man that’s cool as hell i’m excited!)

Spinda: Furthermore! Fur-ther-more!
Not only did we succeed in reclaiming the path...

Wow what
Are we actually making first contact with random native peoples now?? Is that what we’ve gotten to?? That’s fuckin fabulous if it’s true

Everyone: HOORAY!
Mr. Mime: A hidden village! That makes me think of ninjas or something!
Uh
okay?

Spinda: Yep! Of course, it’s not a village of ninjas...
Instead, some very rare Pokémon known as Shaymin live there.
Oh, hey, Shaymin exists in this.
(Shaymin wasn’t officially revealed when Time/Darkness were released, so it never showed up in game. This whole Sky Peak plot was added for Sky, which incorporated the then-revealed Shaymin and a reference to the still-unrevealed Arceus.)

Politoed: Shaymin?
Spinda: Yes. I’m afraid I don’t know much about them either...
But they are incredibly cute! ♪
I mean that’s definitely true.

Heracross: C-cute...
Sandslash: I-I’m interested...
Don’t be creepy

Spinda: Furthermore!
what is MORE furthermore

According to the survey team’s report...
On the outskirts of the Shaymin Village, they’ve found a mountain path to the Sky Peak summit!
How convenient that we don’t have to create our own!! Because making a path like they did on Mt. Everest would be too much to ask from us explorers amirite

This is a huge discovery!
It is to be fair.

This mountain has not been properly surveyed in some time...
Well, since when? What do we know about it? Do we know anything??

Piles of treasure! Opportunities for new discoveries! So I think!
Well, hopefully.

Furthermore, legend says that there is an incredible treasure hidden there that rivals all other treasure!
Well jeez I wonder what the hell that could be.
love, it’s the most spooktacular prize

Everyone: HOORAY!
Octillery: Treasure!
Mr. Mime: Discoveries!
Heracross: Woooonderful!
Eeeeeeeeexcellent!

Spinda: Yes! And it is all waiting for you!
I’ll show you the location of the Shaymin Village!

Is it gonna take like a day to get there like it did to Mt. Horn? If not this is not an authentic journeying experience.
(Recently in the OI Discord we were talking about what if MD1 or 2 got remade. This might just be a personal preference but I would want to see an actual feeling of journey in some parts of the game, although more likely than not that wouldn’t happen. I can dream, can’t I?)

Spinda: For more questions, please direct your requests to the Project P survey team already on location.
Ok but that means we actually need to go there.

Also wait Sky Peak is like right next to Mt. Horn. We got over that one perfectly fine, how did it take this long to “reclaim” the path to Sky Peak huh

So, everyone, let’s get moving, with hopes and dreams on our minds and smiles on our faces!
sure sounds legit

Everyone: HOORAY!

It is though, I can’t deny that. I’m excited to get into some video game mountain climban.

Did you hear that? Piles of treasure! New discoveries!
I just want to climb a mountain my dude I love hiking

I’m really interested in meeting these Shaymin, so we should go!
Sure, sounds good!

So, after getting ourselves ready for a mission, we head out...


to the most beautiful village that you ever did see. This is so lovely, I want to live here.
Its music is lovely too, has a sort of folksy feel that seems to fit this rustic little village.


There’s... a lot of Shaymin here. I guess this confirms that multiple legendsries of certain species exist? All right

Ray: It’s pretty peaceful...

Hello!

It’s nice to meet you. My name is Shaymin. I live here in this village.
… aren’t you all named Shaymin though


… I like this Shaymin.

Ray: Ha ha ha!
Nice to meet you! We’re Team Hurricane!
Shaymin: Did you come to climb Sky Peak too, Team Hurricane?
Hopefully! I’m always up for a mountain climban

Ray: Yeah, that’s right.
I take it you know this mountain well?
… they live here so

Shaymin: That’s right. We’ve lived here for a very long time...
We’re here to guide travelers up the mountain.
Is that really what you’re here for tho??

But we haven’t actually done that in quite some time.
Well that’s. Sad I guess?

That is, the earthquake that happened here some time ago destroyed the mountain path that led here...
Oh that’s how the path got lost. When was this earthquake though?

So explorers from outside couldn’t get here very easily, and they stopped coming.
:( a sad tale indeed

We were pretty surprised when the survey team walked into our little village.
I bet.

Ray: Really? I see.
That explains why this place has only been talked about in legends, and nobody’s come to visit.
Legends? … When was that earthquake...?

Oh, yeah! Speaking of legends...
Is it true that there’s an incredible treasure hidden here, one that rivals all other treasures?
tch if there is ray do you really think the Shaymin are just going to tell you about it??


That’s, uh
ok?

Our job is not limited to simply acting as your guides.
But in the end, those climbing the mountain must discover some things for themselves.
I like this approach. I really like it.

We are merely assigned to assist in those discoveries.
Ray: Really? I’m not sure I fully understand, but I think there’s a little more it than that.
what is THAT supposed to mean ray...

Shaymin: That’s right.
By the way... Now that we’ve discussed all this...
If you’re interested, I could be your guide. What do you think?
Well... sure!

For some reason, while talking to you, Team Hurricane, I’ve begun to really want to climb the mountain with you.
“For some reason”? But ok.

Ray: Really? That’s a nice offer. I was thinking the same thing.

… have you guys known me to be a dick ever in this playthrough? Lol

Shaymin: Hee hee hee. Yay!
OK, I’ll be waiting at the mountain-path entrance for you.
The mountain path is straight ahead from here.
Please come once you’ve finished your preparations.
See you later!
All right, see you!

Talking to some other NPCs...

… that makes no sense but ok??


aaaaa this looks lovely ; ;
All right, let’s go!


So here we are – Sky Peak, specifically the 1st Station Pass. Rather than being a dungeon in its own right, the trek up Sky Peak consists of several short dungeon passes that are separated by clearing areas. An interesting design choice, and I’ll talk more about it later.
Music: Sky Peak Forest

You’re probably wondering what is up with that item message. Shaymin has an IQ skill that enables it to tell how many items are on the floor. That’s... about it lol.

Shaymin has Natural Gift, Leech Seed, Magical Leaf, and Synthesis. I don’t know if Shaymin always has this moveset or if it’s randomly generated out of the possible moves it can learn.


I thought it wasn’t possible to recruit things in this dungeon, at least on the first go. I... may be wrong...? We’ll see if anything joins me lol
(Spoiler: Nothing does)


Sky Gifts can only be found in this dungeon. They are... gifts... that you can send to people as thanks when they rescue you. I guess they become items or something? Otherwise I’m pretty sure they’re useless lol


this dungeon is quite pretty aaaa


After three floors, we approach the 1st Station Clearing.


This sure is a clearing lol

Sky Peak has resting areas, labeled 1st Station through 9th Station.
That’s... a lot of station

The 10th Station is, of course, the summit.
Of course.

The road ahead is long, so let’s take it in stages.
That’s how they do on Mt. Everest. How high is this mountain anyway? I still don’t know.


But, in a way, it has a certain thrill to it.
this is the ONLY way mountain exploration should be done yall


Also there’s a part where I can give a dude an Oran Berry because he forgot to bring it apparently. Something about gratitude and being nice and Shaymin lol


He gives me an Escape Orb in exchange which is nice I guess lol

Moving on...


The second station pass gets rid of the foggy, grassy plains type look for... whatever this is. Same music as before.


After three floors, we approach the 2nd station clearing.


This place looks well-stocked. Cool.
Also I like how Shaymin is as surprised as we are to see this. Don’t you live here?

This is...

Huh, wow. There’s a lot of people here!


So you are. Hi!

This is a huge, tall mountain, you know? So rescue missions can’t be done...
So we’ve built a base at the 2nd Station Clearing.
Nice I guess? I wonder how the Shaymin feel about all this commercialization of their mountain though.

We’ve set up a Kangaskhan Rock and Drifblim’s Gondola, so be sure to use them!
what the hell is drifblims gondola

Project P’s Recycle Shop is covering it all too.
Everything’s free!
Well... cool? Dunno how they got the funds for that but okay

Shaymin: That’s wonderful! That’s the spirit of cooperation.
You are very chill with this lol

Ah. The mountain is so beautiful...
but how long will it be that way?!


So we head on to the 3rd station pass. Looks like we’re in a cave now, and our music changes accordingly.
(Sound familiar? This is Buried Relic from PMD1.)


Also hidden stairs


I don’t find the Secret Bazaars super useful though. I go for a Grab Bag and get a Sky Gummi out of it, so that’s pretty cool I suppose? Lol


After three floors (sensing a pattern?)...


Oh, wow, this is lovely...

By the way, Alti. Did you happen to find any treasures called Sky Gifts while we were climbing?
Yes, once.

A Sky Gift is a special kind of treasure that can only be found on Sky Peak.
As its name indicates, it’s a gift that should be given to others...
u dont say

You never know what’s in it until it’s opened. It’s a mysterious treasure!
Cool!!!!!

But... if it’s opened by the one who found it, then it’s completely empty, so be careful! Hee hee! ♪
Yep completely useless

It’s said that if you send a Sky Gift as a token of thanks,, whoever receives it will be very happy.
u dont say!!!

Alti, why don’t you send a Sky Gift to those who have helped you?
but... who. Who has helped me


A little bit lol

I don’t know whether to be happy about it or not. It’s not like you get to keep what’s inside...
Isn’t that true for a lot of gifts that you give people though

Tch! No! What am I saying?
What a greedy point of view... I’m ashamed to be so selfish...
I guess.


Pachirisu found a Sky Gift and decides to give it to us.


Ginseng is pretty rare, this is cool. (I probably won’t use it though because I’m weird like that lol)


It isn’t really treasure...
There’s no point in treasure if you don’t get to keep it yourself.
if u want to believe that go ahead but it isnt true


The 4th station pass brings back the grassy, flowery look of the dungeon, which I like a lot. It also brings in new music that sounds very adventurous and energetic.


Well maybe I can find someone to give it to (probably not)


OH SHIT
gonna see what I can do without a petrify orb just for shits and giggles...

Then immediately Skuntank uses Memento, which lowers our Attack and Special Attack 2 stages, making even a double-super-effective fairly useless. So... Petrify Orb.


Ray dies and gets revived, which fortunately means his stat drops are fixed. I killed Ursaring specifically so we can step on the Wonder Tile and fix our stat drops.


FIGHTAN TIME


Three more floors and...


Huh, this place looks nice.

We’ve also established a base at the 4th Station Clearing. Feel free to use it.
lol of course that’s what we’re gonna do since we’re here innit

Shaymin: Yes, thank you!
So, you’re probably tired? Let’s take a short break.
Eh not that bad but if you say so.


Well, shit

Mawile: What’s wrong?!
Octillery: The explorer Sneasel’s getting picked on by this strange group near the 5th Station Clearing!
Tch, let him be...

I’m not much help by myself, so please, someone come with me to help!
I guessssssss

Machoke: Move out!
Breloom: Roger! Let’s go!
So Team Frontier heads out. As for us...


Shaymin seems worried too.

Oh! Don’t tell me...!
tell you What. What Is It

Alti! We should hurry too!
tch fiiiiiine


So here we are in the 5th Station Pass, which still uses the Prairie music from before.
I like the look of this place.


After four floors this time...


Yeah he sure is getting picked on...
Music: Rising Fear


lol does he look all right to you


oh DID you now

Carnivine: H-huh? You came to h-help?
Y-yes???

What do you think you’re doing?!
Mawile: We’re Team Frontier!
Only cowards would gang up on one Pokémon!
I mean I guess.

This time we’re your opponents!
as opposed to... what exactly...


… did sneasel run away...

Shaymin: Hey! Wait a minute...

… lol no it battle time


This battle is really nothing particularly stressful or anything except these Carnivine have ridiculously high HP lol. I guess it’s to make up for the fact that this is a 6-on-5 battle, idfk.


One more down...


“only cowards gang up on one Pokémon”


Victory!
For the record, it doesn’t matter in the slightest if Team Frontier dies in this battle. It makes your life harder, sure, but doesn’t count as losing the battle like Ray or Shaymin dying would.


Whaaaat

Mawile: Wh-what?!
Carnivine: Huh? You...
Oh! A Shaymin from the village! It’s been a while!
… you know these guys?
Music

Shaymin: We owe you...
Wat

You haven’t changed a bit, Carnivine!
Also wat

We’ve asked you before to stop bothering the explorers, haven’t we?!
Oh okay. Yeah I guess?

Carnivine: Yeah, but! That Sneasel started it!
waah waah

We found some treasure earlier, and he snatched it right out from under our noses!
Well if that’s true that’s complete ass.


So he did run off. Mighty suspicious...!

That...! He ran off in the confusion!
Breloon: Huh...? Really...?
Mawile: We all thought you were the bad guys...
you know what they say about assuming
… don’t do it

Machoke: …......
Shaymin: Well, you can’t exactly say they’re the good guys, either...
ouch lmao

Carnivine: Hey! We haven’t seen you in so long, Shaymin, and this is how you treat us?!
ahahah rekt

Meh, it’s fine. Since it’s Shaymin, we’ll let it go.
lmao

The decision to climb the mountain is your own. But I don’t like to let Pokémon just do as they please.
I mean I guess.


… bye?

Shaymin: Excuse me.
The Carnivine have marked this as their territory.
tch why so many pokémon gotta be like that huh

They’re really nice, but they can be a little rough when they speak...
Mawile: We’re also to blame here. Rather than listening to them, we just jumped straight into a fight...
Breloom: That’s why you shouldn’t just judge by appearances...
Dude if anything appearances/types means that Sneasel is the evil looking one, dark type and all

Machoke: …......... Sorry!
Shaymin: It’s all right! As long as you understand.
They do. Maybe. Possibly.

So! Let’s put this behind us and get back to climbing!
Sounds good. I could go for that!

This is the 5th Station Clearing! We’re halfway to the summit!
That feels wrong considering we’ve only climbed like 16 floors but ok.

Mawile: Yeah!
So we head off.


The 6th Station Pass starts to look more like rugged mountain terrain.
Music: Sky Peak Coast I don’t know how this is a coast but ok game I’ll take your word for it.
Sound familiar? It’s Stormy Sea from Rescue Team.


Oh hello.

Wait how are you here if we’re like the first people to be climbing this mountain in Forever??????????


Four floors...


Hey cool.

We reached the 6th Station Clearing before you, so we made another base!
Shaymin: Yes! Thank you so much, as always!
Breloom: But you know... from here on, the mountain is covered with snow. We can’t really set up any more bases.
Hm, okay.

So from here on, you have to climb on your own. Sorry.
Who are you apologizing to? The Shaymin that has probably summitted this thing like 12 million times?

Shaymin: No problem at all. We’re glad you were able to make bases up to this point. They’ll be a great help.
Breloom: Heh-heh. You’re welcome.
Oh, that’s right. From here on, we’re going to make a serious effort to reach the summit.
… as opposed to what?

See you along the path!
Shaymin: Yep! See you there!
Breloom: All right, we’re off!

bye

Ok I feel now is probably an apt time to talk about my initial thoughts when I was playing Sky Peak for the first time as a 15 year old or whatever. The Shaymin lived in a village that seemed undisturbed by the existence of other Pokémon. Clearly they lamented not having explorers to climb the mountain with, so they were on good terms with the Pokémon who came to their likely-ancestral home for the purpose of climbing what is by all accounts implied to be the highest mountain on this continent.

Upon first playing it, I was a little disappointed to see that all the bases were set up so that each dungeon was effectively only 3 floors. This was supposed to be a grand peak, I wanted a real mountain climbing adventure. (Worth noting is this was also right after the peak – no pun intended – of my obsession with Jon Krakauer’s book Into Thin Air, which is both a chronicle of the journey that people take to climb Everest and a specific, first-hand account of the events of the 1996 disaster.) Having already played through Darkness to completion, I knew that MD2 was specifically meant to be easier than MD1 in all things: 99-floor dungeons are optional in MD2, as are level 1 dungeons, and the last dungeon of the story – Temporal Tower – is split into 15 / 10 floors as opposed to Sky Tower’s 25 / 9. Even the last dungeon of the post-game is 15 / 15, still less than Sky Tower overall, and broken up completely evenly instead of requiring a marathon of 25 straight floors as Sky Tower did. I was hoping the addition of Sky Peak might bring back a little of the difficulty level and marathoning required by MD1 type dungeons. After all, Mt. Horn has 14 floors, making it one of the longest singular dungeons in the main story and it’s clear that was supposed to be because it’s a mountain. So I expected Sky Peak to get the same treatment.

I was disappointed when it didn’t. But that’s actually not what I was most concerned with when I was playing this. It was the in-universe establishment of bases that was bothering me. Reclaiming the path to Sky Peak and the reconnection with the Shaymin village happened extremely recently in-universe, and then one of the first things that happens is Team Frontier goes forward and establishes bases all up the mountain in order to make things easier for explorers... and to make it more possible for anyone to climb the mountain.

This is one of the things that Jon Krakauer was initially sent to Everest to write about: the growing commercialization of the mountain and the claims by adventure companies with seasoned guides that they could get any reasonably fit person to the top of the world’s highest mountain. As Krakauer recounts, some of his teammates had never been ice climbing before, some hadn’t broken in their boots, some had no idea how crampons worked – etc – and still made it to the top of the mountain, or at least close enough to still be impressive. Of course, this commercialization and the inexperience of several Everest climbers likely contributed to the 1996 disaster’s death toll, but that’s a whole other story and you should just read the book if you’re interested lmao.

Point being, I initially thought the natural Shaymin would also be objecting to the commercialization of their mountain, much as there are real-world Sherpas who believe their people are selling out by contributing to Everest expeditions and who disapprove of what has happened to the sacred mountain. Early on in this trip, our Shaymin even said “Ah. The mountain is so beautiful...” which made me believe that the Big Conflict over the course of this trip was going to be, Shaymin grows increasingly frustrated/disillusioned with Team Frontier’s disrespect for the mountain and things come to a head... or something.

But the more stations I went through, up until Team Frontier admitted there weren’t going to be any more bases, the more Shaymin seemed fine with it, even grateful, and I realized that this game wasn’t going to go that deep. Maybe I was expecting a bit much, I don’t know, but that was my initial take on the Sky Peak expedition.

I still wish it were a bit more marathon-y. There really isn’t much of a point in having Kangaskhan Rocks after every 6 floors imo. There should be more at stake and more of a risk involved with this. If there still bases but they were after every 10 floors or something instead, now that would be a mountaineering adventure befitting the continent’s highest mountain!

I still enjoy the Sky Peak adventure, don’t get me wrong. The changing visuals and music really give a sense of adventure and ascent, and I think it works well aesthetically. I just am weird about my mountain adventures since IRL I love hiking and the mountains and always want my game adventures to Feel Like That which obviously isn’t always possible lol.

Anyway, digression over. Back to the game.


It can be dangerous if you don’t prepare yourself properly.
… except for the part where it doesn’t affect anything about how we go from here on out.


Yep that’s snow all right.
Music: Sky Peak Snowfield


Four floors...


No kidding lol.


Oh shit something’s up.

Breloom: I don’t know, he had fainted before we got here...
I don’t know if it’s because of the cold or because he ran out of items, but I do know this is dangerous.

you don’t say

Shaymin: …......
This isn’t good at all...
YOU DON’T SAY

I’ll go get help.
Mawile: Huh? Who are you going to call for help?!
Yeah good question. I thought “there weren’t any more bases” and all that junk. Who is here?

Shaymin: There’s a rescue expert at the 8th Station Clearing.

Someone lives up there?
And we can’t get rescued if we die in this dungeon.
Anyway why is he there

We don’t call him for the little things, but emergencies are different.
HOW DO YOU CALL HIM THOUGH
WHAT DO YOU CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN EVERY TIME????

Could you please keep an eye on Sneasel, Team Frontier?
I bet they’re not too happy about that idea

We’re going ahead!
Mawile: I see. We’re counting on you!
Shaymin: Let’s hurry, Alti!
Sure why not.


8th station pass looks much the same and has the same music.


Another four floors...


Wow this sure is a dwelling. What do you do up here all alone?

Ampharos: Oh! It’s Shaymin from the village! I was wondering who it was.
It’s been a long time! How have you been?
That’s cool and all but u see

Shaymin: It has been a long time, Ampharos.
But we don’t have time to chat. We’re in a hurry!
Ampharos: Indeed? Did something happen?
what do U think

Shaymin: At the 7th Station Clearing!
… that’s it. No more details?

Ampharos: Ah... Here I thought I was going to have my first guests in a long time, but it sounds like that will have to wait.
Sorry bro.

I hear you. I’m on my way. The 7th Station Clearing, you said?
that is THE ONLY THING shaymin said

Shaymin: Yes!
Ampharos: You wait for me here.
Can we nooooot

Shaymin: We’re counting on you!
Aight cool


Mawile: Oh! Over here!

wow was it really that severe goodness

Well, let’s carry him to the 8th Station Clearing.
That sounds like a bad idea but ok


Dude he sounds perfectly fine what are you on about


hi

Shaymin: Oh! He’s awake!
Sneasel! Are you all right?!
Sneasel: Uh... Where am I?
Mawile: You fainted at the 7th Station Clearing.
Breloom: If Ampharos hadn’t carried you here, things would not have gone well for you, seriously.
That’s a, uh. Mild... way of putting it

Sneasel: You did that for me?
apparently

Ampharos: It wasn’t just me. Everyone here came to your rescue.
Sneasel: I see... I...

he ded

Shaymin: It’s all right. You don’t have to say anything.
You should really take it easy and rest.
Yeah what Shaymin said I guess

Sneasel: …......
Ampharos: All of you may go on ahead through the mountain pass. I can take care of him.
good it’s about time

You were all headed to the summit, weren’t you?
This is the 8th Station, so you’re almost there.
How many of these damn stations are there though

Do your best!
aight sure


but whaaaaat

Ampharos: There’s nothing to be accomplished by all of you staying here.
I can handle this on my own. Go on ahead.
i would like to

Breloom: Are you sure...?
Well, all right. We’ll leave Sneasel in your care.
sounds good leggo!


… where’d the snow go?
Music: Sky Peak Final Pass
A great track imo.


After five floors (:o)...


Wow what the hell is this and why does it look so... foreboding

Shaymin: I think Team Frontier already went on ahead.
Wat
but
they were at the place with Ampharos still when we left???


… yes???

Something seems different from the last time I was here...
Oh! Sorry...
It’s nothing. Probably just my imagination.
lol it’s a video game no way is it your imagination

Well, at any rate, it’s only a little farther to the summit! Keep at it!
all righto


And finally we’re in the last pass, the Summit Pass! Which... still looks more like a cave but okay.
(Where’s the snow???)


in fact it’s RAINING and there’s WATER HERE what the hell


well... shit
good thing for Reviver Seeds?


Five floors and we finally make it.


What


I’LL SAY WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE

All this happened while I was away for so long...
… did none of the other Shaymin climb the mountain in that time


Oh hey.


Yeah that’s what we’re wondering too.

Mawile: Th-this is the summit?
Shaymin: No, this is...
NO??? this is NOT the summit??? excUSE ME????


WHAT

We looooove dirt and slime...

WELL ALL RIGHT THEN...

Breloom: Wh-what...?!
Shaymin: A group of Grimer and Muk. This isn’t your home, you know that...
Shaymin sounds just Done at this point

Please, go back where you belong.
Grimer: No. Noooooooo.
Other Grimer: Lies. Liiiiiiiies.
Why you taaaaaaaaalk like thiiiiiiis

Muk: We drive away cleanlinessss!
Clearly

Shaymin: …......
Looks like we have to get them to come to their senses...
Oh no is it battle time

Everyone, I’m counting on you!
Sounds like it is.


aight lets Go!

I set Ray to lead with Quick Attack as Alti hurls an Iron Thorn at the Muk directly in front of her.


Of course we get surrounded immediately. Ray is set to use only Bite because Force Palm is not very effective and Quick Attack doesn’t have a nice side effect lol. Alti camps on Water Gun.


One down. Of course, we’re not in the best shape. Shaymin is close to dying (though Alti is sponging all attacks targeted at her with Bodyguard) and Breloom has been affected by Stench, which makes it run off in fear for a few turns—obviously a big loss of damage there.


One Muk down...


And another, plus a Grimer last turn...


Another down (and a great screenshot time lol)...


Only one more left! My team is a little worse for wear, but we’re almost done!


And there we go.


suck it

Grimer: So stroooong!
Shaymin: Have you come to your senses yet, Grimer and Muk?

huh WHAT

H-huhhh?
Other Grimer: Oh! Shaymin!
Shaymin: What happened while I was away for so long?
You know that this isn’t your home, right?
Grimer: H-huhhh? This is so our hoooome...
Seeee? It’s all dirty and griiiiimy...
I mean I guess

Shaymin: Dirty and grimy...
I see...
Music: Sympathy

Nobody’s come here for so long...
I’m sorry, Grimer and Muk. This is the mountain summit.

… you guys just. Didn’t notice. Cool.

Grimer: It can’t be...!
Shaymin: I think it fell into disrepair because nobody visited for so long...

um
that doesn’t make ANY SENSE
HOW WOULD A MOUNTAIN SUMMIT FALL INTO DISREPAIR
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KEEP UP WITH IT???
what

But we can’t leave the summit in this condition. Will you please return to your rightful home?
Please? I’m asking you.
Grimer: Wh-what? This is the summmmit? I didn’t notiiiiice.
Clearly. Get out plz

Grimer: Sorry, Shaymin.
We’ll go home...
Shaymin: All right. Thank you!
I’ll come visit with a token of thanks later! Bye!
Grimer: OK. Bye-byyyye!

see you I guess


Being upset that the mountain is ass even if the Grimer and Muk are gone?

We have to clean this place up, restore it...
WHY AND/OR HOW

Mawile: Restore it? It’s so dirty, how could we possibly...
Shaymin: We Shaymin have a special power to clean up the land by absorbing dirt and things.
>clean up THE LAND
>absorbing DIRT
ok.

Yet cleaning up this mess is no small task...
Here goes nothing...

Well then


Shaymin it may be working but you do not look healthy

Shaymin: Get down, please!
WOW
OK
WHY


WHAT IS HAPENGING


oh... oh my...
Music

Breloom: W-wow...

oh this is Lovely
(Also nitpick: That isn’t the summit if there’s clearly stuff that is higher!!!)

Mawile: This is the summit? It’s just such a change from what we were looking at before...
Just a, just a little bit.

It’s so beautiful...
Breloom: I’ve never seen such beautiful scenery before...
it’s so lovely ; ;

Machoke: …......
Shaymin: Congratulations on reaching the summit!
so nice ; ;

This is the Sky Peak Summit!
Machoke: Wow! We did it!!
Breloom: At last! We’ve reached the summit!

views? Views?????


VIEWS
Wow this really is the tallest peak. I love it


i love mountains yall

Machoke: …......
Breloom: I-I’m so glad that I climbed this mountain...
Mawile: Me too...
This is... I’m speechless...
I think this is the first time...
This must be the fabled treasure that is superior to all other treasure...
I’ll say!

Breloom: Shaymin...
Thank you so much for guiding us here.
Shaymin: My pleasure!
I had fun climbing the mountain with all of you!
I had fun climbing the mountain too aaaaaa

So, thank you very much!
Well... we should do this again sometime!
absolutely!!

Mawile: Yes!
Shaymin: It seems like you really enjoyed the view from the summit...
Shall we head back to the base of the mountain?
All good things must come to an end, I suppose.

Mawile: Yeah!

… yes?

... Heading back means...

What
WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN
YOU CLIMB A MOUNTAIN, YOU CLIMB DOWN THE MOUNTAIN
WHAT YOU MEAN YOU DIDN’T ANTICIPATE THIS?!

You’ve got to go back down!?
y’all did not deserve to summit this mountain

Machoke: …......
Shaymin: Calm down. It’s fine.
I’ll take you all back to the base of the mountain, no problem.
Uh
okay???

Mawile: Huh? How will you do that?

Hey look at that. Attention to detail. … or something.

How is it special, you ask?

Nice.

Breloom: Wow...
Are you really that adorable... Shaymin...?
W O W okay then breloom
(but yes, Skymin is one of my favorite mons lookswise I have to admit)

Machoke: ….........
Shaymin: Hee-hee-hee. When I’m in this Forme, I can fly.
Mawile: You can fly? That means...

With this kind of environment I’m sure it is...

It’s not much, but this is a gift from me to you!
All right, let’s soar down to the base of the mountain!
Hold on tight!
ALL OF US?!?


I guess... so.

Thanked Shaymin graciously and returned to Treasure Town.
And on the evening of the day they returned, there was a huge party at Spinda’s Café...
Everyone stayed up until dawn, discussing the exploration...
I wouldn’t be able to sleep either lol.

The next day...

lol that’s fine

Yesterday was so much fun!
I’m kind of tired from staying up all night talking...
Anyone would be.

I won’t be able to forget everyone’s smiling faces!
Hey, Alti.
I’ve asked you this before, but...

Absolutely.

Ray: Right!
All right! Let’s go have fun exploring today!
All right.


Whaaat
It just tells us we unlocked the Sky Jukebox which is this game’s Sound Test and it’s gr8 ok.

That’s it for this update! Buuut I do have a question. Sometime in the future it will come time to recruit Kecleon. Like in MD1, recruiting Kecleon requires your Pokémon to have all of the recruitment bonuses possible. However, not any old Pokémon can get all the recruit bonuses possible in this game. You see, there’s an IQ skill that boosts recruitment rate, and it’s only available to a small handful of Pokémon, a list that does not include Riolu/Lucario or Totodile/evolutions. As a result, we will need to find another Pokémon to raise to level 100 to recruit Kecleon for us.

I usually go for Mew. This time, however, I figured I’d leave it up to you guys. Which Pokémon do you want me to use as my Kecleon recruit Pokémon? Choices are in the hide box below.

All evolutions included.
Set 1: Cleffa, Igglybuff, Oddish, Slowpoke, Krabby, Exeggcute, Kangaskhan, Lapras, Sunkern, Snubbull, Teddiursa, Delibird, Celebi, Whismur, Plusle/Minun, Barboach, Corphish, Jirachi, Pachirisu, Cherubi, Chingling, Chatot, Phione/Manaphy

Set 2: Seel, Happiny, Mew, Chikorita, Togepi, Hoppip, Mantyke, Miltank, Budew, Swablu, Feebas, Cresselia


Also, don’t forget to suggest nicknames!
Upcoming recruits: Golduck, Jynx, Marill, Azumarill, Sneasel, Swinub, Piloswine, Delibird, Smoochum, Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Azurill, Nosepass, Swablu, Altaria, Zangoose, Snorunt, Piplup, Prinplup, Empoleon, Snover, Weavile, Glaceon, Mamoswine, Castform.

Comment!

28/525: 5.3%
Caterpie (Xander)
Butterfree (Papillon)
Weedle (Bean)
Beedrill (Bumble)
Sandshrew (Simon)
Machop (Jon)
Grimer (BetoBeto)
Kingler (Crab Meat)
Rhyhorn (Cake)
Tangela (DayumBoy)
Spinarak (Catallia)
Mareep (C3PO)
Hoppip (Alma)
Wooper (Axol)
Elekid (Firegg)
Larvitar (Savannah)
Lotad (Orchid)
Nincada (Illinois)
Electrike (Direction)
Minun (Negative)
Barboach (Dojo)
Beldum (Nickel)
Starly (Merel)
Budew (Sprout)
Combee (Hexa)
Gastrodon-W (Slugger)
Glameow (Smudge)
Hippopotas (Duke)
 
Last edited:
For Kecleon recruitment, Jirachi might be the most useful of the options, but something in me wants to suggest Exeggutor to put it to use now that it's not a pain to recruit like last game.

As for Sky Gifts, not sure how they work for Player-links, but in Single Player you can send them via an NPC in Shaymin Village to other characters like Wigglytuff, and they sometimes send you gifts in return.
 
pika pal: Good options. I like the sound of Jirachi more but the Exeggutor thing is pretty funny too. I'll think about it more since I don't have either of those yet lol
I had no idea about Sky Gifts! I'll have to try that, that's pretty cool.

lucariomaster2: All right, vote considered! Slowking is cool too lol



… that’s what ACTUAL EXPLORING is so. Let’s see what dungeon comes out of this.


I thought it would be. This is... a somewhat difficult post-game dungeon. I’m going to hold off on this for a while I think.


Sure let’s go to Brine Cave instead.


Where I learn that Ray’s new IQ skill is a bit... uh... not proofread?


deffo
Named Bork at Hydrattler’s suggestion.


what the HELL IS THIS
(I have almost never seen a room that looks like this.)


oh... oh no... i only just realized the search mission was for a shedinja

._.


Well at least I can see it.
Named Philette because

Altissimo - Today at 7:51 PM
i need a nickname for an omanyte
notshado™ - Today at 7:51 PM
phil
Altissimo - Today at 7:51 PM
its a grill omanyte
BlackDragonSlayer - Today at 7:51 PM
philette
notshado™ - Today at 7:51 PM
philette
jinx
Altissimo - Today at 7:52 PM
jesus
BlackDragonSlayer - Today at 7:52 PM
no not jesus
you said it was a girl
Altissimo - Today at 7:52 PM
lol


aaaa we done it!!


it plot time

Have you heard? The tale of the famous explorer Scizor?
No?

Scizor was an explorer extraordinaire whose fame stretched across this very world.
As opposed to another world. Yes.

Truly, he had a reputation that all explorers aspired toward.
But this great explorer, he went missing while he was exploring Blizzard Island, far in the southwest.
Now that’s a name. If it’s a cold island – in the southern hemisphere – it’s probably like the Pokémon equivalent of Antarctica and I don’t think that’s a good place to explore alone.

Many an exploration team sent out to rescue the great explorer.
But one and all, they were turned back by the bitter cold and swirling blizzards till none dared try again.
At least they didn’t die like Robert Falcon Scott and his expedition.
:(

It is a tale from many years ago.
How long ago though

There also have been rumors. They say that the explorer Scizor was searching for an amazing treasure.
Isn’t that what every explorer goes for? Or just the glory of getting there first.
(Are Team Hurricane technically the first modern explorers to reach the summit of Sky Peak?)
(Sorry I may or may not have a bizarre fascination with the history of exploration as a concept lol)

You’re an incredible team, Team Hurricane, what with saving the world and all.
Just a little

No exploration teams have gone to Blizzard Island since the rescue efforts were called off years ago.
how MANY years... oooOOooo

By any chance, would you be willing to go, Team Hurricane?
Dude this isn’t something you can just ask us on a dime. You know how long it took Antarctic expeditions to actually get off the ground? You know how much manpower and planning was involved in that?!



Sure, let’s go.

I hear that Blizzard Island is in the southwest of the map.
i see


not far enough south try again


whatever we’re goin.


Music: Blizzard Island
Sound familiar? It’s a medley of Mt. Freeze, Sky Tower, Mt. Thunder, and Thunderwave Cave from Rescue Team.

Recruits: Golduck, Marill, Azumarill, Sneasel, Piloswine, Delibird, Smoochum, Vigoroth, Azurill, Nosepass, Swablu, Snorunt, Piplup, Castform.


Named Marty thanks to the bf.


… well you see

Altissimo - Today at 6:51 PM
name for a nosepass
Silent Hastati - Today at 6:52 PM
A WAT
Altissimo - Today at 6:52 PM
nosepass
look it the fuck up
Silent Hastati - Today at 6:52 PM
a
no
Altissimo - Today at 6:52 PM
LOOK IT THE FUCK UP
Silent Hastati - Today at 6:52 PM
is it the jew mon
Altissimo - Today at 6:52 PM
yes
Silent Hastati - Today at 6:52 PM
how many letters do u have
Altissimo - Today at 6:52 PM
10
Silent Hastati - Today at 6:52 PM
IMPLICATIONS
Altissimo - Today at 6:53 PM
ok
Silent Hastati - Today at 6:53 PM
WAIT
THATS 12
Altissimo - Today at 6:53 PM
ok
fix urself
Silent Hastati - Today at 6:53 PM
uhh
NOT RACIST
Altissimo - Today at 6:53 PM
ok

… yeah.


I think this is one of the first times I’ve ever had to eat an Apple the entire playthrough, if not the first.


Named Skoast lol


After 20 floors (!), we get to... uh... an ice cave?

There is a huge, jagged chasm cutting through the wall of ice!
It appears to lead into a series of caves.
It’s the entrance to another dungeon!
Ok but we probably need to set up like a depot out here so we don’t die, i mean it might be easy enough to GET there but the way BACK might be awful


no


FINE let’s go


Crevice Cave has random dungeon music that changes every floor.

Pokémon: Golduck, Jynx, Marill, Azumarill, Sneasel, Swinub, Piloswine, Delibird, Smoochum, Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Azurill, Nosepass, Swablu, Altaria, Zangoose, Snorunt, Pipliup, Prinplup, Empoleon, Snover, Weavile, Glaceon, Mamoswine


WELP
LETS GO


bf called it Lump lol


level 14... I don’t think we’re going to be taking you much further friend sorry


… if it didn’t have such low PP then maybe

After 10 floors we hit a rest point. Continuing...


lol well hi there


Named Lenny.
… level 17. Yeah you’re going home again...


lol this one’s gonna be, like, level 5. Well, named Chippy.


After only four floors, we have arrived at the depths of the pit. Looks like we may have found Scizor! But... this might be problematic.


Oh that’s not ominous at all.

Visitors... What a rare sight...

I’M NOT READY TO DIE OF FROSTBITE


tee-hee hi

I’m Froslass.
I can see that.

I play host to the infrequent visitors to this frozen hinterland!
How did we get here anyway. It sounded like Ray and Grovyle were convinced there was no way to cross the sea until they found Lapras so that suggests the Pokémon world doesn’t have boats, so how the hell did we get to this island

It must have been awfully exhausting for you to fight those blizzards.
Not really?

Please, do come closer...
You must be chilled almost to the bone...
Theoretically we should be because it doesn’t look like we’re wearing any warm clothing but it’s fantasyland so.

So let me freeze you solid! All the way down to the bone!
How about no


BATTLE TIME


can we like
not

(it’s ok tho Alti can still throw items.)


lol it was not at all a hard fight. I mean look, Alti only lost 11 health lol


ummm ok??


Scizor breaks free of the ice.
is
is he still alive????


I guess so?

Wh-where...?
What does it look like

Ah, yes, I recall now. I had been exploring when I was set upon by that beastly Froslass...
Maybe don’t explore alone?

Oh!
You’re rescuing me, I presume?
I guess?

Forgive me for my lapse in etiquette. My name is Scizor. I am an explorer.
you’re fine dude lol


Looks like we got back to Treasure Town just fine. (but How though)

If you hadn’t come along, I very well could have remained encased in ice forever.
I doubt forever. I assume climate change and continental drift are still things in this world.
Well... maybe?? If the paralyzed planet can stop climate/tectonic activity was it ever there to begin with?
(I might be overthinking this. Just a little.)

However, little did I expect to see that decades have passed since my icebound predicament.
How long do Pokémon live anyway

Why, it is as if I’d traveled to an entirely different world.
(realtalk this is why the idea of being in a coma scares the shit out of me)

Incidentally, I would like to somehow repay you for saving my life.
All right sure.

However, I find myself alone in an alien world, and without a single Poké to my name.
:(

I have but no idea how I could possibly repay you.
Join our team? :v

Ray: Oh, it’s OK. You don’t need to thank us anymore.
no ray we need compensation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(ok maybe not)

Scizor: Hmm... However...
Ah! Yes! That may do! Tell me, you did say you were an exploration team, yes?
… yeeeees...?

Ray: Uh... Yes.
Scizor: Ah, very well! You see, though you may find it unlikely, I was once upon a time an explorer of some repute.
I thought we established that?

Well, I’ll have you know... I am an honorary member of the Pokémon Exploration Team Federation!
Honorary?

If you’re honorary who the hell are the regular members?!

Ray: A what? An honorary member?
Scizor: Correct!
An honorary member, such as myself, has the right to give special status to exemplary exploration teams.
then what do REGULAR members do
WHO ARE THEY ANYWAY

And you fit the bill! Your plucky courage during my rescue proves that you are more than exemplary!
… ok...?


The what now

Ray: What? Secret Rank?
I see he is confused too

Yes. An exploration team with that rank is eligible to take Special Missions.
Cool?

Special Missions are highly confidential jobs that come straight from the Exploration Team Federation itself.
I guess that’s pretty neat.

Ray: Highly confidential? I don’t get it...
okay ray

Scizor: You may not know now. But it will become clear in due time.
If you say so.

I’ll need to make a note of your new rank on your Explorer Badge.
Aight cool.


hooray

Ray: …..................
I don’t know what this is about, but... thank you.
Yeah thanks I guess.

Scizor: Ah, it’s the least that I could do.
I shall never forget your valor and kindness in coming to my rescue!
I must be on my way. Farewell!
All righty, bye.


Ray don’t be too mean.
Anyway that’s the end of that.

So the thing about Secret Rank is that it... well... it does let you take on special missions. Specifically, there are seven dungeons that can only be accessed after you get this rank. They are home to Rayquaza, Mew, Articuno, Heatran, Groudon, Kyogre, and Giratina. No, I have no idea why Articuno and Giratina are odd-ones-out here. Anyway, these dungeons can only be be unlocked once you obtain Secret Rank.

In Time and Darkness, you would need to enter passwords or download the missions via Wifi in order to get them. In Sky, they are available randomly through Spinda’s Café. I’ll keep an eye out for these, but no telling when they’re going to show up.

So we go to take some more missions etc...

I’m down for another new dungeon :o


This one might be doable now, we’ll see.

First though some diary snooping.


Pretty sure the next one is 12. Shocking News!

It’s shocking, by golly!
I don’t rightly understand it... not totally...
But Pokémon can come from the future?! Is that even possible? I don’t rightly know.
Lots of stuff is possible in this weird world of ours.

But that’s what the great Dusknoir claimed, so you gotta reckon there’s a grain of truth in it.
how about we DONT trust people with no proof lol

This is all so confusing that it makes my head hurt. But I reckon I’d best focus, yup yup...
Because now’s the time we need to help get out the word about Azelf and his buddies. Yup yup!
Oh I guess this is when this whole rumor thing was going.

Grovyle’s scheme can’t continue!
Yup yup! I have to spread that rumor on thick!
… “on thick”???
all right

13. Very Sad...
An awful long time has gone by since that Team Hurricane disappeared...
I hope that Ray and Alti are doing fine...
How long was it anyway

After we became buddies in the guild and all...
I was counting on going exploring with them more down the road...
That didn’t even happen after we returned to be fair. At least if it happens it isn’t yet.

Oof... I miss them...
Oof... I surely do miss them...
:(

14. Welcome Back!
Something happened that was half shocking and wholly happy! Yup yup!
Yes?

It’s all sorts of amazing, that’s for sure! Team Hurricane came back!
Oh hey I guess... literally nothing happened worth discussing in the diary in that time.
:V

Even more amazing is that they say they returned... from the future!
… um
you didn’t
you didn’t think that’s what happened before???

The story Ray told was about as amazing too... But more than anything...
I was overjoyed seeing the two of them back safe where they belong, right here. Yup yup.
Debatable but all right.

Yup yup! I was some kind of happy... Sniffle...
d’aww

15. Don’t Give Up!
Team Hurricane! You all have to shine!
What why

I surely can’t begin to imagine a place called the Hidden Land, but...
Sure you can.
It’s just hidden.

The two of them together... I’m mighty sure they can stop the planet’s paralysis. Yup yup!
and we did! :o

I’ll lend my support from Treasure Town!
Go do it, Alti, Ray, Grovyle, and Lapras
Lapras didn’t do much when we actually got there tho.

You all do what you can to win!
WE SURE WILL
(we did.)

16. Graduation Exam?
Team Hurricane has been picked to take the guild’s graduation exam.
They arrived after me. But they get to take the exam before I can? That sorta rubs me the wrong way...
Dude, we are literally taking the exam before everyone.

But it’s tough to argue against the sort of success that Team Hurricane has had.
u’d better believe it

Besides, the others asked me (yup, me!) to help behind the scenes on the graduation exam!
lol
LOL

Who knows what they have in mind for me to do, though. I’m always the last to know...
This will be the first graduation exam I’ll help out on. I wonder what I’m supposed to do?
Not screw it up??

17. Congratulations!
Sniffle... Team Hurricane passed its graduation exam!
hell yeah we did

Well.. Alti and Ray... Congratulations! Sniffle...
I’m so happy for you all, yet so sad that you’re out. My head is spinning... Sniffle...
Might wanna get that checked out

But I reckon that the other apprentices are going to graduate one day too...
They have to. Otherwise it’s basically indentured servitude.

And that’ll mean me too...
… That does it!
I’m going to do my level best to graduate too! Yup yup yuppers!
I believe in you

It’ll be my turn to shine!
And that’s it for Bidoof.


One more to check though.

12. Total Shocker!
Oh my gosh! It’s been one shocking thing after another lately!
It turns out that Grovyle is a wanted outlaw on the run from (oh my gosh!) the future.
(oh my gosh!)

And Dusknoir also came from the future to catch that Grovyle! Eek!
Something like that.

There have been so many unbelievable events! It’s like I’m in a perpetual state of shock! Oh... my... gosh!
Calm down there friendo.

Anyway, Dusknoir vowed to catch Grovyle on his own.
I’m sure the great Dusknoir will honor his pledge, so Grovyle will be caught.
I mean. I guess he did honor his pledge...?

We have to leave everything up to Dusknoir.
Good luck, Dusknoir!
Yeah... sure

13. Those Kids...
Everyone, including myself, is down in the dumps at the guild.
:(

I thought about why the guild is lacking energy lately... The answer is easy.
I like how she had to think about it. This is a video game and we’re the protagonists, what’s to contemplate?

It’s because... Team Hurricane is missing.
I didn’t realize how lonely it would be without Team Hurricane...
what’d yall do before we got there huh

Chatot has been very ill tempered lately and prone to annoying outbursts... But that’s also because he misses those kids.

awww

Oh, I hope they’re safe... Those kids...
Not really but we made it.

14. Welcome Back!
Oh my gosh! Yippee! What a shock!
It’s totally amazing! Team Hurricane came back! From the future! Oh my gosh!
Yes! Yes! Yes we! We did!

It was such an amazing thing! Yippee!
We were even more amazed by Ray’s account of it all. Oh my gosh!
I’m sure lol

But if those kids said it, then it must be true.
I’m glad for the support but what did I say earlier about not automatically trusting without proof
That could have been bad. Thankfully it wasn’t lol

I choose to believe the kids.
Oh! Then does that mean...
That the great Dusknoir, who I revere... is actually a bad Pokémon?!
Yes. He was. Sorry my dude.

Oh my gosh... A bad Pokémon?!
What should I do?! What should I do?!
Calm the hell down?

15. They’re Saving Us!
Our future is in the hands of those two kids.
But I’m convinced that those kids will not fail to stop the planet’s paralysis.
Your faith is not misplaced. Was. Whatever.

That Alti and Ray! Oh, but don’t forget Lapras and Grovyle too!
gotta line up with Bidoof’s account ofc

You can’t fail us!
I hope you all come back safe and sound to Treasure Town. Soon!
Well. Ray did. Alti took a... little longer.

16. Graduation Exam
Team Hurricane has been chosen to take the graduation exam.
But graduation... Oh my gosh! I remember when they asked me if I wanted to take it...
Oh, okay, so Sunflora was a candidate once. Interesting.

At the time, I refused because I wanted to train some more at the guild.
Nice.

Last year, Loudred took the exam... Of course, he failed in spectacular fashion...
ouch that’s pretty harsh don’t you think

But those kids can make it! I’m sure of it! Eek!
I’ll be cheering for them!
as well u should have

P.S. It’s that time of year again! The season of the grand master of all things bad! Yippee!
Okay so this confirms that the grand master is a gimmick they’ve pulled out before for graduation exams, and Sunflora seems to imply here that that was what they used on Loudred, bringing me back to my question of “how do they deal when the one taking the exam knows the gimmick?”

17. Yay! Graduation!
They did it!
\o/ we did it!

Those kids made it through the graduation exam!
Oh my gosh! The members of Team Hurricane were so adorable when they joined the guild... Now they’re authorities!
… um... okay???

It’s sad that they’re leaving the guild... But Sharpedo Bluff is very close by. I can visit them anytime.
correct we are a block away

So Alti and Ray... Congratulations!
Do visit us at the guild even after you graduate!
I am. But I don’t think you wanted me to be snooping in ur diary lol.

And that’s it for the diaries. Mission time!


Off to Shimmer Hill.
… on an escort mission. Hooray
Pokémon: Primeape, Arcanine, Rhyhorn, Tauros, Sentret, Mareep, Espeon, Girafarig, Ursaring, Houndour, Stantler, Miltank, Linoone, Camerupt, Castform, Skuntank


:o
named Cat Snake bc boyfriend


Named Jim.


We made it! :o


And we went up a rank as a result! Although Magmar gives us nothing interesting.

The next day...

Talking to Corphish yields the next bit of plot.

You know something... Sunflora has been pretty excited lately, hey, hey!
Saying stuff like... “Oh my gosh! The Surrounded Sea! Oh my gosh!”
… sounds about right tbh

“Oh my gosh! No one’s seen it for tens of thousands of years!” That sort of thing, hey, hey?
How do we know? How far back do our records go anyway?
… And if they’re so complete why do we still not have boats?
I have question

She’s been on a tear about that all by herself, hey, hey...
Sunflora is down in the guild’s lower level right now, hey, hey.
If you’re interested, you should chat with Sunflora, hey, hey! She’s itching to gab about it!
Fair enough. Let’s go find Sunflora.


Well, now I have.

The Surrounded Sea is a sea far in the south.
Again. We don’t seem to have boats. How do we know about it?

It’s an uncharted part of the ocean. And can you imagine? It’s been encased in ice over tens of thousands of years.
So the Arctic.

But word is spreading about a recent discovery there! They say that there’s now a break in the ice!
That uh. Doesn’t sound good. Are we undergoing global warming? That is really terrible if so and we should do something about it.

That gap opened a way for explorers to go into that enclosed sea!
I don’t think that makes sense but okay

Oh my gosh! Can you imagine it? A world that no one has seen for tens of thousands of years!
It’s a sea. I can’t imagine it would be that interesting.

This is the stuff of sweeping epics! So dreamy and adventurous!
Oh, but that’s not all! No, no, no! Apparently, the world’s ocean currents all course through the Surrounded Sea.
ok but like
then
maybe it shouldn’t be frozen???
i don’t know if that makes sense but this seems Wrong

I’ve heard rumors that many rare treasures are carried there by the currents!
Oh my gosh! Just thinking that is enough to make me feel faint!
then go explore
the
sea?

The Surrounded Sea’s entrance is supposedly east of Blizzard Island.
You should go for a look yourselves!
Of course! We’re explorers.


That sure is east of Blizzard Island all right.

Surrounded Sea is going to be for next time though! Short update but Surrounded Sea brings in a lot of plot and I want to get that done all at once.

Upcoming recruits: Shellder, Carvanha, Wailmer, Slowbro, Tentacruel, Starmie, Qwilfish, Horsea, Seadra, Slowking, Remoraid, Octillery, Kingdra, Clamperl, Finneon, Lapras, Wailord

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Damn Frosslass, beating Scizor through Freeze hax.

Giratina's simple enough: Dialga being part of the plot means the other members of his trio really just kinda had to get plopped somewhere, and he's the only Ghost type legendary.
 

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