#3: Make absolutely sure that he is the only Grovyle with this curse

[oblonger]

Wanted to make this after imagining a few lines from it.

Celebi and Pine are out of options

Pine felt like screaming.

He felt like running away.

He wished that Celebi was wrong. That she had to have missed something.

But if Celebi was saying that there were no options left.

Then he needs to heed her.

Blood was dripping from the claw that he pierced into his palm from clenching his fist.

Pine choked on his tears. He wanted to tell Celebi that he loved her too. And that he wished that a miracle would happen so that he didn't need to do this.

Celebi sobbed as Pine raised his arm. His leaves become as sharp as blades.

He needed to make this as painless as possible for her.

Pine was about to do the deed when his skin started prickling. He opened his eyes, and the air around him was shimmering. Celebi's eyes were wide. Her face was wet with tears.

“I- I didn't see this happening.” She muttered to herself.

Pine spun around after hearing the passage of time open up behind him.

Shoot. Okay. CALM DOWN. He needs a plan RIGHT NOW.

Maybe he can attack? No, if he dies then-

What about running? Maybe. But Celebi said-

Pine flinched when the person that stepped out of the passage, was him.

Wait no. Obviously it's not him. He's not the only grovyle. It's just another grovyle.

One that is obviously working with or for Dusknoir. How else could he open a passage?

Pine sprinted forward at the newcomer. Preparing to attack with a leaf blade.

The newcomer raised an arm. The leaves on it, likewise becoming sharp as swords.

He casually blocked Pine's assault and reached forward with his other hand and put it on his chest.

Shoot. He underestimated him.

He needed to be prepared for what was going to happen next. Was he going to grab him? Or tear open his chest with his claws? Maybe he will-

Pine was caught completely off guard by the newcomer just shoving him backward. The lack of any kind of pain or real retaliation stunning him to the point where he stumbled and then fell on his rear.

“Re-lax.” The newcomer said. His voice was rough, tired, and irritated. “I'm not here to fight you.”

Pine tilted his head. Staring at the newcomer. He was now given a chance to really take in what he looked like.

He is a grovyle. Or, maybe was? It looked like he'd gone through an incomplete evolution. The yellow seeds that Sceptiles have on their backs were on his. The leaves on his arms and head were much longer than on a normal grovyle's, and it seemed like he had a strange combination of a Treecko's, Grovyle's and Sceptile's tail.

Wait, was his skin shifting between shades of green? And are those antennas on top of his head? And why did that worn, dirty satchel over his shoulder look like Pine’s?

“Who are you?” Pine asked as he pushed himself off the ground.

“Grovyle.” He responded. He folded his arms as the passage behind him closed.

Celebi hesitantly fluttered forward. “Are you that-”

“Yes I'm that Grovyle.” he interrupted. “Look. I'm here to help you. Not to tell you my life story.”

Celebi flinched. “But, W-we don't have anything left we can-”

The stranger interrupted again. “Have you even bothered looking ahead since I showed up?”

Pine felt a tinge of anger. Celebi flinched again and backed away. Covering her mouth with her hands as her eyes widened further.

A beat of silence passed.

“Look. Introductions are out of the way, so just listen to me because I know how to keep you three from kicking the bucket.”

Grovyle narrowed his eyes. “How do we know we can trust you?”

The stranger grit his teeth. “Because if you don't, you'll make the biggest mistake of your existence.” he growled.

Pine glared at him. “We don't know if that's even remotely true!”

Grovyle angrily sighed. “I know a lot that you don't. Now. Do you, or do you not, want to kill your Celebi?”

Pine and Celebi recoiled at the question. Grovyle pursed his lips. “Good answer. Now go get Twig and come back here.”

Pine tilted his head “Twig?” He asked.

Grovyle sighed. “The human?” He asked with a harsh bite.

Pine's expression soured. “Her name is Lilly.”

Grovyle flinched, his eyes widened in anger and he turned his head to glare at the ground. “Just go get her.” He growled.

Pine glared at him for a few seconds before walking to where Lilly was sleeping nearby. Keeping his ears strained in case Grovyle or Celebi said anything.

Pine gently woke Lilly up from her sleep. Holding her hand in his as the two walked back to the clearing where Grovyle was at.

Lilly’s eyes widened when she saw Grovyle. Glancing between Pine and him. Before pointing at Pine and then him.

“Pine?” She asked.

Pine shook his head. “Grovyle.” He responded. She looked even more confused but didn't try saying anything more.

“Alright. Good job.” Grovyle said as Pine entered the clearing with Lilly. Grovyle pinched the space between his eyes. “Ugh, we've already wasted so much time.” He muttered.

“Alright.” He said after giving a quick sigh. “We need to get moving. I know a place where you can…”

Grovyle trailed off as the prickling feeling returned.

Grovyle spat out a curse word as another passage opened up some distance away, near where Grovyle had created his. Pine instinctually pulled Lilly closer to him.

“For Arceus’ sake.” He growled. “Okay. Change of plans.” He said loudly enough for them to hear clearly. He turned to face the passage before swiveling his head to look at them.

“You three stay behind me. Do not run, and do not try to fight or help.”

“What?!” Pine shouted. “What do you mean-”

“I meant what I said!” Grovyle snapped. “Just stay there. I've dealt with them before.”

Grovyle faced the passage as several Sableye poured out from the passage, their wicked grins falling into confusion upon seeing that there are two grovyles now.

Dusknoir then exited the portal. “Opening many passages is a foolish idea when you are trying to run from us.” Dusknoir stated. His eye widened when he saw Grovyle.

“I see that you have found yourself a new ally Celebi.” Dusknoir did what looked like a grin. The Sableye followed suit as the passage closed behind them. Dusknoir pointed forward at Celebi. “Unfortunately for you, it doesn't matter how many allies you collect. It will not change the outcome. Your fate was sealed when you defied-”

“Oh for Arceus’ sake!” Grovyle interrupted. Dusknoir blinking in shock. “Would you quit monologuing and get on with it already!? I've wasted enough time here as-is!”

Dusknoir stared at him with an unreadable expression as the Sableye exchanged glances and muttered words to each other.

Dusknoir then narrowed his eye. Glaring at Grovyle. “It's a shame that you are so eager to die, interloper. I would have considered giving you a painless death had you not-”

“ARCEUS DANG IT.” Grovyle shouted. He pulled the satchel off of him and pulled out a blue orb. The Sableye and Dusknoir tensed up when they saw it, and then somewhat relaxed in confusion as Grovyle tossed it aside, onto the ground. “You Dusknoirs just have no idea when to stop talking do you!?” Grovyle dropped the satchel onto the ground next to him.

Grovyle began walking forward, and took in a very deep breath, held it in for a few seconds and then released it as he did so. Pine saw the way that Celebi's eyes widened in complete horror in the corner of his vision.

Dusknoir's eye narrowed. “Kill him.” He ordered.

All of the Sableye sprinted forward at Grovyle, breaking off from the group, some flanking, and others gunning it straight forward.

All of the sableye prepared their own separate attacks. Some creating a ball of Dark energy, others flexing their claws with eagerness.

All of them were going to attack Grovyle.

Pine wasn't sure if he was even going to do anything as some leapt forward at him, and others fired forth their projectiles.

At the last second, Grovyle shot forward his arm and grabbed the wrist of one of the Sableye, and swung him around, colliding with another Sableye that also leapt at him. Grovyle shifted his legs, and spun the other direction. The shadow ball that one Sableye had launched at him collided with the Sableye he held at the same time he let go. The one he had hit before, also getting hit by a shadow ball launched from another sableye on his other side. Grovyle crouched down as the two were launched into each other's backs above him.

Grovyle grabbed the ankles of the two, and swung them downwards onto the ground. Then he prepared a leaf blade, and blocked the slash that a sableye was trying to use from behind him, not even looking at them as he did.

He deftly spun around, slashing two more with his leaf blades, Instantly KOing them. quickly jumped upwards to dodge another Sableye that had sprung out of the ground with a shadow sneak.

Pine saw the way Dusknoir's expression was one of disbelief and fear. An expression that he didn't know such a heartless monster was able to make.

Pine was about to shout and warn Grovyle about the shadow ball that Dusknoir had quickly sent hurtling towards him, but stopped when Grovyle instantly shot him a venomous glare.

He spun around in mid-air and hit the shadow ball with his leaf blade at an angle, ricocheting it towards a Sableye that had broken off from the group.

Grovyle swung a leg downwards as he fell. Colliding with another Sableye that had just leapt out of a shadow sneak to attack him.

Grovyle landed, slashed the back of the Sableye that missed earlier, and then charged an energy ball. Throwing it at the final sableye that had just thrown his own shadow ball. The two collided with each other right in front of the Sableye. Creating an explosion that launched the Sableye backwards into a tree. Falling to the ground unconscious.

Dusknoir stared at Grovyle in abject terror as he straightened his posture. Taking in, and releasing another deep breath.

Dusknoir steeled his expression and shot forward when Grovyle began to slowly walk towards him.

Dusknoir swung a fist covered in dark flames, a shadow punch, that Grovyle sidestepped, retaliating with an X-scissor.

Several light blue flames surrounded Dusknoir and hurtled themselves to Grovyle as he swung another Shadow Punch at him again. Grovyle jumped towards Dusknoir and grabbed the antenna on his head, Grovyle kicked a leg outward and used his and Dusknoir's momentum to throw Dusknoir forward. Dusknoir, getting hit with the Will-O-Wisp in the process. Grovyle slashed another leaf blade across Dusknoir's chest, while grabbing the orb that he had tossed on the ground earlier. Grovyle held it out in front of him while Dusknoir was reeling from the attack and crushed it in his hand. A gust of wind burst forth from in front of Grovyle and sent Dusknoir hurtling backwards. Slamming into a tree and falling to the ground. Defeated.

Grovyle dropped the pieces of the orb onto the ground and approached Dusknoir. His eye widened as he did so.

Grovyle grabbed Dusknoir by the frills on his neck and raised an arm. His leaves, sharp as swords.

Dusknoir winced as Grovyle hesitated.

The leaves on his arm drooped and softened.

Why wasn't he doing it!?

Grovyle took in another, and released another, deep breath. Dusknoir's eye slowly opened, staring at Grovyle.

He didn't seem tired, why was he doing that?

And why was Celebi covering her mouth with her hands, looking horrified and ready to vomit?

“I know you aren't the same person…” Grovyle growled. He slowly reached forward and held one of his hands against Dusknoir's head. Right above his eye. “But I have wanted to do this for so long.” He said, his words dripping with hate.

“What are you-” Dusknoir began before his eye started staring off into the distance. Wider than Pine had ever seen. His body started shaking.

“No! STOP!” He shouted. Dusknoir's shaking hands shot upward and clasped around Grovyle's entire arm. He looked like he was trying to scream, but couldn't.

Tears immediately started flooding down his face, his body shook like he was experiencing an earthquake. His breathing, quick and short.

This went on for several seconds, before finally, Grovyle let go and took a step back. Dusknoir fell forward onto the ground. Tears falling from his eye. His entire body was shaking. Muttering something that sounded like apologies.

Grovyle stared down at him. His wrathful expression fell into pity.

Grovyle reached forward and started to pull his arm down. Getting caught on something invisible. He slashed downward, seeming to cut through the air and open a passage of time.

Grovyle crouched down in front of the quietly sobbing assassin and began talking.

“Listen closely. Dialga won't kill you for this failure.” Dusknoir lifted his head to look at him. “So long as you describe me as an interloper. Tell him about how I was able to open a passage without a time gear. You, and your Sableye won't be killed.”

Grovyle stood up, and did a motion. A pulse of pink energy fled from his body as he did so.

Pine noticed that the sharp pain in his hand quickly disappeared. He looked down at his hand.

The blood was still all over it, but the wounds he'd created from his grief earlier were completely gone. Replaced with tiny scabs.

Heal pulse?

But that would mean!

Pine's head shot upwards to see the sableye stirring. Pushing themselves off the ground. Muttering in pain as they looked around.

What is he doing!?

“Master Dusknoir!!” One of them shouted.

All of the others sprung into action, sprinting towards Grovyle as they registered what he'd done to Dusknoir.

“SABLEYES!” Dusknoir suddenly shouted as they closed in on Grovyle. They all stopped dead in their tracks.

Dusknoir rose up from the ground. The tears wiped away, and his hands clenched to try to keep them from trembling.

“We are leaving.” He ordered.

The Sableye recoiled in shock. Rising into a cacophony of confused protest.

“Now.” Dusknoir growled loudly. All the Sableye flinched, hesitated for a moment, and one by one entered into the passage. Glaring at Pine's group, at Grovyle, and giving concerned looks to Dusknoir.

Dusknoir moved to enter into the passage, turning his head to look at Grovyle.

“Are you sure that Dialga-” He began, his voice shaking.

Grovyle interrupted by nodding. “He'll make you wish you were dead, but all of you will live.”

Dusknoir stared at him before his vision fell to the ground.

“Okay… Th-… Thank you.” He muttered.

Dusknoir turned and entered into the passage. The passage quickly disappeared after he entered.

A long minute passed as the three stared at Grovyle while he stood in the same spot. Slowly tapping his foot, his unreadable expression shifting rapidly with his eyes shut tight.

“Okaay.” Grovyle broke the silence. He started walking towards his satchel. Keeping his eyes locked onto it. “Well that was fun. Now you three won't-”

“H- How in arceus’ name did you do that?” Celebi asked, her voice quivering in fear.

Grovyle looked at her as he bent down to pick up his satchel. “Ah. Making a time loop is surprisingly easy. And I've had practice breaking them.”

Pine turned his head back and forth to look at the two. “Wait, wait. Time loop? What does that have to do with how Dusknoir acted?” He questioned.

Grovyle made a tsk sound. “Right, you don't know what I did, do you?” Grovyle slung the satchel over his head and paused for a moment. “Well, I just gave Dusknoir the clarity to remember what I did to him.”

Pine recoiled in disgust.

Arceus, he hopes he's not this person.

Grovyle turned his back towards them and slowly started walking back to where he initially opened the passage.

Lilly pulled away from Pine and started following him. Her expression one of determination.

“Alright. I looked pretty far ahead. The timelines where you need to kill your Celebi are so infinitesimally unlikely to happen, that worrying about the possibility would be a waste of breath.”

Grovyle stopped near where he opened the passage.

“Just so you know, this is a one time thing. I'm not going to…” He trailed off when he turned to look at them and noticed Lilly standing next to him.

“... Can I help you?” He asked with a dry bite.

Lilly walked forward and hugged Grovyle. His eyes widened in shock, his mouth hung open, and his arms flung outwards. For a few seconds, he stood there frozen. His eyes rapidly looked at her, and forward, at the ground, at Pine, at Celebi, before finally settling on Lilly.

Grovyle reached down and pushed her away while taking a step back. Lilly looked at him with a dejected expression. Anger rose in Pine's chest as Grovyle stared at her like she had just tried to attack him.

Grovyle's head dropped and he gave an exasperated sigh after a few seconds. He pulled his satchel in front of him and rummaged around inside of it.

Grovyle stepped towards Lilly, crouched down and pulled out a huge apple. His claws pierced into it so he could hold it steady, and offered it to her.

Lilly's face lit up brighter and happier than Pine had ever seen. She shot her little hands out and clasped the sides of the apple that was almost bigger than her head. She shouted something happily to Grovyle before turning and jogging back to Pine and Celebi. Excitedly chattering and laughing in a language that Pine didn't understand.

Grovyle stood back up, a small smile tugging at the edges of his mouth. Grovyle sighed and the smile disappeared. An act.

“As I was saying.” He started. “I'm not going to come back and save you from whatever problems you've got. You're gonna have to figure out a lot of stuff on your own.”

Grovyle turned and did what he had done earlier. His claw getting caught on the air. Only this time, he strained harder. He grabbed the arm that he was cutting the passage open with his other hand and put his entire body into swinging downwards. Cutting open the air and creating a passage. He remained crouched down for a few seconds, panting heavily.

He stood back up and looked at them.

“It won't come easy, but just trust your instincts and you'll survive. Do what comes naturally.” He stepped inside the passage and leaned backwards to look at them. “But for the love of Arceus, Pine. If you are fighting an explorer team with a Pikachu on it; Don't kill either of them.” Pine flinched as Grovyle stared at him for a few seconds.

Grovyle started leaning back in.

“Wait!” Celebi shouted.

Grovyle leaned back out the passage. His brow furrowed. “Make it quick.” He replied.

“Well…” Celebi responded, fidgeting her hands together. “When all this is said and done, could we maybe, talk for a while?”

Grovyle's eyes very slightly softened. He stared at her for a few seconds before narrowing his eyes.

“No.” He said. Completely monotone.

Grovyle leaned back into the passage fully, and it closed before Celebi could say anything more.