Keeper and I made use of the magical save/storage Kangaskhan statue, which somehow had all of our items from the past; I guess the storage center must still be functioning somewhere in this weird future world. When we were ready, we shouldered our packs and made our way into the Future Dungeon.
This dungeon certainly appeared different from the ones we were familiar with right from the beginning. To start with, there were no walls anywhere, just platforms with corridors between them. In the void between platofrms, rocks and boalders floated in the air. There were still items and gold to be found on the ground, though, and also plenty of Pokémon enemies, including Drifloon that explode when KOed and giant Onix!
We finally made our way all the way through the dungeon to.... some other dreary place that wasn't really much better, but at least wasn't procedurally generated and had no enemies.
<Keeper> Think our lead is long enough now?
<Athena> Probably. We seem to be over-leveled for this point in the game, so I imagine those Sableye will have a much rougher time getting through the dungeon than we did.
<Keeper> Oh, good, that means we have enough time for a break. I'm beat. I'm going to go grab a drink from that waterfall over there.
<Athena> Oooh, water, good idea.
<Keeper> Oh, wait, duh, everything's frozen in time, so the water's no good.
<Athena> Huh. Those apples we picked up in the dungeon were fine. I guess total world paralysis is kind of picky on what it chooses to affect.
<Keeper> Man, this place sucks. *kicks wall* Why did TT bring us here, anyway? He was so kind and smart and wonderful and sexy... *sigh* Do you think maybe you could use your special powers to maybe figure it out?
<Athena> What, you think I can just touch the frozen water and magically get a vision about TT's motives?
<Keeper> Well, it can't hurt, can it? Even if you don't learn about TT, you might learn something useful. We'll need to use every advantage we have to get out of this mess.
<Athena> Alright, fine. *touches water*
<Keeper> Anything?
<Athena> ... ... ...
<Keeper> Well?
<Athena> Nope, no good. No vision at all.
<Keeper> Ah, damn. Well, there's another one of those magic statues. Let's get ready and move on to the next dungeon.
The next dungeon was a bit more "normal" in the sense that it at least had walls... but this time it was filled with ghosts. Annoying ghosts that would attack you from walls and steal your PP. :< Keeper and I beat them up and trudged onwards, eventually exiting out to another non-dungeon area that was just as boring and lifeless as the last.
<Keeper> If I see one more set of stairs, I swear I'm gonna kill someone.
<Athena> Well, still no sign of the Sableye, so we can sit around and enjoy this creepy view for a bit at least.
<Keeper> You're right, it really is creepy... *shudder*
<Athena> Those lights in the distance are kind of pretty.
<Keeper> Until you realize that that's probably the stockade where we were almost mauled to death.
<Athena> Point.
<Keeper> Man, I
still can't get over TT betraying us like that. I really looked up to him, you know.
<Athena> Yeah, I know, a lot of people at the guild did.
<Keeper> I don't even know what to do now, or how we're supposed to get back... Boy, do I miss everyone... I hope they're okay... *sobs pitifully*
<Athena> *pat pat* There, there.
<Keeper> *sniffle* ;~;
<Athena> Well, uh, how about... we go find TGK?
<Keeper> Why would you want to go find that loser?
<Athena> Well, he did travel back in time to our world once, maybe we can help us do it again.
<Keeper> Maybe so, but he's still an evil jerk who came to our world to thieve our Time Gears. I don't trust him one bit, even if he did save our lives.
<Athena> Well, I trust him.
<Keeper> Well, I don't. So there! *stick tongue out*
<Athena> It's not like we have much of a choice. He's the only one in this entire future that doesn't seem to want us dead.
<Keeper> ... *sigh* I guess you're right. Doesn't mean I have to like it, though.
<Athena> Sometimes that's what doing the right thing feels like.
<Keeper> Thanks for being here with me, Athena. Let's get back to our world, together. <3
<Athena> <3
<Keeper> Since there's really only one path to follow, I guess we just keep headed the same way and eventually we'll catch up to TGK, right?
<Athena> Once again, we don't really have a choice. Onward!
The next dungeon felt even more normal than the last, with regular, physical Pokémon instead of spirits and plain, rocky walls. We went through steadily, killing enemies as we went, and came upon a magic save statue after several floors.
<Keeper> Oh boy, do you think this means there's a boss up ahead?
<Athena> Either that or it's just a super long dungeon, so, uh, stay prepared no matter what.
<TGK> Welp, pretty sure I'm almost there... wherever "there" is...
<TGK> Oh, yeah, right, duh. It's the forest. I'm heading to the forest.
<TGK> Gotta keep it together, man.
<TGK> I wonder how those other kids are doing.
<TGK> Not like I, you know, care or anything. My own stuff takes priority, obvs.
<TGK> Anyway, I should probably stop talking to myself and get out of here...
<???> You think we're just going to let you leave?
<TGK> Wait, what? Someone there?
<???> You barge in here and wake us up...
<???> ... and then leave without even apologizing?
<???> So rude.
<TGK> Seriously, dude, who's there?
<???> Don't you take that tone of voice with us, young whippersnapper.
<TGK> Quit hiding and come out! >:|
<Palutena> Hehehehehe, we're not hiding, we're right here.... we're Professors Palutena...
<Light> ... and Light.
<Palutena> And we show no mercy.... >:3
<TGK> Ack! >.>
<Keeper> Welp, it looks like more procedurally generated dungeon, so I guess no boss for us.
<Athena> At least not yet. I have a funny feeling one is coming, though.
And so we dived into more dungeoning. After a few more floors, we came upon a special area, and also our target, TGK. He seemed to be immobilized in some way on the floor of the room.
<Keeper> Hey, it's TGK! You okay, bro?
<TGK> Yes, I'm perfectly fine. I'm just lying in this uncomfortable position bound by some kind of magic forces because it's fashionable. *sigh*
<Keeper> Are you sure you're okay? Maybe I can help if I--
<TGK> No! Be careful. Some weird asshole enemy is around.
<Keeper> I don't see anyone... >.>
<TGK> It's right next to you, numbskull.
<Keeper> Huh? There's just this rock... *pokes rock*
<rock> *jiggles*
<Keeper> Ahhh! *jumps back*
<TGK> *sigh*
<Palutena & Light> *giggles*
<Palutena> We won't forgive anyone who trespasses on our turf.
<Athena> Ohboy, it's the Luxray all over again...
<Keeper> Wh-Wh-Who are you?
<Light> You're asking us?
<Palutena> We're Professors Palutena...
<Light> ... and Light. The manifestation of a fusion of spirits...
<Palutena> ... formed into a Spiritomb!
Suddenly, with a flash of light, a swirly green and purple spirit popped out of the rock-thing. It was, indeed, a Spiritomb.
<Light> There are 108 of us, actually.
<Palutena> But we're the best ones.
<TGK> Careful, you guys, that's one tough boss. I couldn't take it down myself, and that's why I'm trapped here.
<Athena> Well, considering how easily we beat you when you were a boss, that doesn't rally say much...
<TGK> Yeah, well I still beat you that time!
<Athena> Only because plot!
<Light> All of you, stop talking!
<Palutena> It's time for you to have your punishment!
And thus the boss fight was on! As usual, I smokescreened it (them?) as soon as I was able to get close enough, and Keeper and I pummeled it until it could no longer move.
<Light> Oooh, ouch, that hurt!
<Palutena> Totally not cool.
<Light> Time to flee!
With a rumble and a wobble, Palutena and Light zipped back into its (their?) rock, rolled off, and were gone. The light bonds trapping TGK was also removed, and he was able to stand up and move his limbs.
<Keeper> What the $%*# just happened? o_o;
<TGK> Seems to me like they just ran away.
<Athena> Told you we could take 'em.
<Keeper> You okay now, TGK?
<TGK> Yeah, I'm cool. *sigh*
<Keeper> What happened to you anyway?
<TGK> The thing flew up my nose and took control of my body. It was.... not entirely unpleasant, but mostly weird. I must have really pissed it off.
<Keeper> It was a bad Pokémon, though, right? I mean, for attacking us all like that....
<TGK> *sigh* Man, you really do just want to paint everything black or white, don't you? It was probably just really scared and fought back out of panic. Most Pokémon in this time are pretty timid and messed up in the head, actually. This paralyzed world... well, it twists you, a lot.
<Keeper> So good Pokémon turn crazy and go bad? Man, that sucks. :<
<TGK> That's... probably about as close as you'll be able to understand it. *sigh* So, have you decided to trust me then?
<Keeper> Well, I still don't trust you, but Athena does, and she says we don't really have a choice, so I'm following her lead on this.
<TGK> Well, suck to be you then, because if you won't trust me even now, then I don't want anything to do with you.
<Keeper> Wait!
<TGK> :|
<Keeper> Look, it's... complicated, alright? Athena trusts you, and I trust her, and I'm trying so hard to trust you.... so please give us a chance? At least help us out a bit here and tell us what you know about this world and why you came to ours?
<TGK> And if I just lie my face off for my own amusement?
<Keeper> *shrugs* I'll decide what to think of what you have to say after you say it.
<TGK> ... fine, whatever. It's nice to talk to someone else instead of myself all the time, anyway. Follow me.
TGK led us through some area and off to another dead, rock area that looked just the same as the rest. This entire world is just so depressing, really. But, apparently TGK was satisfied that we were safe from any prying eyes here, since he managed to visibly relax for a bit to tell his tale.
<TGK> Good enough. So what do you want to know?
<Keeper> Well, how did the world become paralyzed?
<TGK> It happened back in the past, when the Temporal Tower collapsed. It was governed by the Chaos Jackal.
<Keeper> Chaos Jackal? What an ominous name... who is that?
<TGK> That's the nickname given to the Legendary Pokémon Dialga, master of time. When the Tower collapsed, time started getting out of control, and then eventually.... *waves his arms around* this happened.
<Keeper> Can't CJ fix it? What's going on with him?
<TGK> Well, you see, when time went out of whack, CJ lost control of himself, too. And now that the planet is completely paralyzed, he's completely deranged and ruled by darkness. He's basically an entirely different Pokémon. We now call him.... Primal CJ.
<Keeper> Oh, geez, that doesn't sound good...
<TGK> Primal CJ feels no emotion. He just wants to live forever, which means everything must maintain the status quo. Since I went back in time to your world to try and change history and stop the paralysis from happening, he wants me gone.
<Keeper> So.... you were actually trying to
prevent the planet's paralysis?
<TGK> Yep.
<Keeper> But... that's the exact opposite of what we were told! Everyone said you were going to cause the paralysis because you were stealing all the Time Gears!
<TGK> Oh, please. I was stealing the Time Gears because I needed them to prevent the paralysis, not to cause it. By the time I came to your world, the Temporal Tower had already begun its collapse. My goal was to take the Time Gears to the Tower to save it. Once the they were put in place, time would have started going back to normal everywhere, even those places where the Time Gears had been stolen from.
<Keeper> Well, what about all those bad things TT said about you? Like how you're a notorious criminal and you escaped from jail and blew up an orphanage and fled to the past to escape punishment? Was that all just a bunch of lies?
<TGK> Basically, yes. Are you really still going to believe the word of a Pokémon who wants you dead? TT is an agent of Primal CJ. He only wants to get rid of me, and he'll lie and cheat and steal and kill and whatever he needs to in order to complete that task. When Primal CJ learned that I traveled back in time, he sent TT after me.
<Keeper> But.... it can't be... TT is so great and intelligent and perfect... I admired him so much... I just...I can't believe you... *sobs* ;~;
<Athena> *sigh* *pat pat* There, there, Keeper.
<Keeper> *stands up* I'm going to go see TT.
<TGK> *facepalm* Why would you do something so idiotic? >_<
<Keeper> I want to see TT. :< I'm going to ask him if you're telling the truth.
<TGK> Oh, like he'd really give you an honest answer even if he did talk to you instead of just killing you outright. All you're doing is handing yourself over to be slaughtered!
<Keeper> Well, what else am I supposed to do?!
<TGK> Well, you could do what you told me you would be before we started this bloody conversation and actually use that brain of yours for once instead of just parroting what everyone else tells you.
<Keeper> ... :|
<TGK> *sigh* When things are tough, that's when you have to be the strongest. Now is the time for you to think for yourself and then act.
<Keeper> Yeah, well, Mr. Smart Guy, what are
you going to do, then?
<TGK> Me? I'm going to head back to the past and try again. And that means, I need to find Mora.
<Keeper> Mora?
<TGK> Yes, she's a Celebi. If you want, you can come with me. Or you can sit here and cry, or go back to TT and commit suicide by Sableye, or whatever. But no matter what, I'm out of here. *flees*
<Keeper> Athena, you've been quiet.... what do you think about all this?
<Athena> Well, no matter whether TGK is lying or truthful, we know for a fact that whatever caused the planet's paralysis happened in the past. And you know what I think about what he said.
<Keeper> You think TGK is right... and I guess I know that, too, deep down...
<Athena> So, shall we?
<Keeper> Yeah, let's go catch up to TGK and go with him...
<Primal CJ> GRRRRR....
<TT> Master. *bows* We're all set and ready to catch the traitors. Though, we may need your help to accomplish it...
<Primal CJ> GRRRRRRRRRR....
<TT> Of course, as you wish. We'll finish our preparations.
Keeper and I did, indeed, manage to catch up to TGK and followed along with him. Eventually I could tell we were getting close to another dungeon, since one of those magic statues happened to be nearby.
<Keeper> Are we there yet?
<TGK> We're at the entrance to Dusk Forest. Mora should be inside here.
<Keeper> So, how exactly can she help us, anyway?
<TGK> Celebis are Time Travel Pokémon. So Mora has the ability to travel through time. She's a bit odd, but, well, *shrugs* she got me to the past last time, so it should work.
<Keeper> So, Mora can help Athena and I get back to our time too?
<TGK> Theoretically, yes.
<Keeper> Theoretically?
<TGK> Well, you see, since she helped me attempt to change history before....
<Keeper> You think she might be in trouble, too?
<TGK> Oh, look, you can indeed think. Yes, I'm pretty sure she's a target of Primal CJ, too, which means we need to hurry and make sure to get there before anything bad happens to her.
<Athena> Well, just let us save quick and toss some of our junk in storage and we'll be good to go!
I honestly don't mind exploring all the locations within a dungeon in hopes of finding cool items or a shop, especially since said dungeons are really the only form of gameplay there is. If I end up with a bunch of junk filling my bags, then I can swap it out for a better item when I come across one, and then just sell stuff when I get back to town.
