In the Future of Darkness

In the Future of Darkness (Japanese: あんこくのみらいで, Hepburn: In the Future of Darkness) is the last Special Episode in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, unlocked after the player has graduated from Wigglytuff's Guild. This Special Episode features what happened to Grovyle and Dusknoir in the future while the main characters travel up Temporal Tower.

Dungeons

• Barren Valley
• Dark Wasteland
• Temporal Tower (Future)
• Dusk Forest
• Spacial Cliffs
• Dark Ice Mountain
• Icicle Forest
• Vast Ice Mountain

Synopsis

After entrusting the mission to save time in his friend's hands, Grovyle takes Dusknoir back to the future with him. Grovyle awakens in the future and notices Dusknoir is lying unconscious nearby and that the planet is still paralyzed in the future. Grovyle contemplates that the Player and Partner failed to save time, but quickly dismisses the thought and suspects that they simply haven't done it yet. Grovyle discovers his injuries from his fight with Dusknoir are still present, and a Sableye discovers him, but it quickly flees upon seeing Grovyle is awake. Grovyle decides to leave the area as soon as possible, but before he can, Dusknoir wakes up. Dusknoir spots Grovyle and tries to attack him, only to be stopped by his injuries from the previous battle. Dusknoir reveals that he tried to stop Grovyle and the Player because he doesn't want to disappear if time changes and asks Grovyle why he would want to change time if it meant him disappearing forever. Grovyle answers that the life and hope he saw in the past was worth fighting for, even if the price for it was disappearing. He also reveals that the planetary investigation team investigating the planet's paralysis discovered that almost every Pokémon in the future was willing to pay the price of disappearing if it meant changing the dark future they live in, the only ones who objected were the Pokémon with shriveled and wicked hearts.

Grovyle prepares to leave, and Dusknoir asks him what he will do next. Grovyle answers that the Sableye that spotted him will report what happened to Primal Dialga, who will resort to sending a new agent to the past to stop the Player and Partner from changing time. In order to do that, he will need time to store power to send them back in time and Grovyle plans to go to the Temporal Tower of the future and Primal Dialga. Dusknoir doubts Grovyle can stop Primal Dialga with his current injuries, because he would need full strength to even attempt to stop him. Grovyle reveals he doesn't plan to win, he just wants to buy the Player and Partner time to change history. Grovyle leaves and Dusknoir tries to go after him, but he has to power through the pain from his injuries, which slow him down significantly.

When Grovyle reaches the end of Barren Valley, Dusknoir catches up with him along with four Sableye who arrive just after him. Dusknoir orders the Sableye to attack Grovyle but they attack him right along with Grovyle and the two are forced to fight together to fend them off. After the Sableye flee in defeat, Dusknoir wonders why the Sableye attacked him and Grovyle voices his suspicions they are disloyal. However, Dusknoir counters that the Sableye obediently follow his and Primal Dialga's orders and Grovyle changes his suspicions to Primal Dialga abandoning Dusknoir for his failure to stop the Player and Partner. When Grovyle decides to get moving again, Dusknoir asks the two of them call a temporary truce and travel to Temporal Tower together.

Dusknoir vows not to attack Grovyle while they are travelling since he is too injured and Grovyle would be too wary of him for any surprise attack to work. Dusknoir explains he wants to ask Primal Dialga if he really has abandoned him and the two of them will be able to move through dungeons more quickly if they work together. Though wary of Dusknoir's true motives, Grovyle concedes it would be best if the two traveled together and the two resume traveling to Temporal Tower.

On their way to the tower, the two corner a Sableye and bring him to a hidden alcove for questioning. There they interrogate the Sableye for why they attacked Dusknoir in addition to Grovyle. The Sableye admits he and the other Sableye were ordered to attack Dusknoir by Primal Dialga's new henchman that is Dusknoir's replacement. The new henchman has taken Dusknoir's place among Primal Dialga's forces and the Sableye describes the henchman as resourceful and crafty. It is planned that the new henchman will be sent back to the past to prevent history from changing. Dusknoir becomes furious when he learns it was Primal Dialga who ordered the Sableye to attack him and begins threatening the Sableye to reveal the new henchman's identity. The Sableye remains quiet about the henchman's identity out of terror and Dusknoir punches a wall in frustration, allowing the Sableye to escape. Dusknoir is devastated that Primal Dialga has replaced him and assumes Grovyle finds him pathetic for being replaced. However, Grovyle is only concerned about the new henchman and the two keep going to Temporal Tower, Dusknoir desiring to learn the truth about Primal Dialga's decision to have him eliminated. Grovyle grows concerned about Dusknoir's persevering allegiance to Primal Dialga and worries he may end up having to face Dusknoir, the new henchman, and Primal Dialga at once.

The two reach the ruins of Temporal Tower and Grovyle remembers that the Player and Partner are climbing the tower in the present and wishes them luck while he does what he can. When the two reach the pinnacle of the tower's remains, they discover it is empty. Grovyle wonders why Primal Dialga isn't in the tower if he was planning to send the new henchman to the past, because he would need to remain still for a long period of time to gather the energy for time travel. Dusknoir reminds Grovyle there is another method of Time Travel, The Passage of Time. Dusknoir guess that instead of having waiting to gather energy, Primal Dialga left to find Celebi and use the Passage of Time to return to the present. Grovyle doubts Celebi could be caught, but Dusknoir reminds Grovyle Primal Dialga himself is going after her. The two leave for Dusk Forest to find Celebi.

When they reach the edge of Dusk Forest, Grovyle worries about Celebi's safety against Primal Dialga and the new henchman. When the two reach the end of Dusk Forest, they discover Celebi is gone. Dusknoir suspects she either got captured or fled the forest to avoid being caught. Suddenly, all six Sableye ambush them, and Grovyle realizes that they have fallen into a trap of the new henchman. After the two defeat the Sableye, Dusknoir captures one of the Sableye while the rest flee and questions him about where Celebi is. The Sableye spills that Celebi fled and Primal Dialga went after her to Frozen Island, a solitary island to the south. Dusknoir releases the Sableye and explains to Grovyle the two of them will need to travel across space to reach Frozen Island. He also explains that on a nearby cliff, there are Porygon who can warp them across space. When Dusknoir begins to leave for the Spacial Cliffs, he realizes he's regained most of his strength and Grovyle thinks to himself that Dusknoir's wound's are beginning to heal.

When the two reach the end of the Spacial Cliffs, they meet the Porygon who, despite their concerns about Dusknoir travelling with Grovyle, transport the two to Frozen Island. When they arrive at Frozen Island, Dusknoir explains it used to be Blizzard Island, but it has become much more dangerous when the planet became paralyzed. A group of Snorunt spot the two and Grovyle asks them if any other Pokémon have come through the area. However, the Snorunt rebuff him by attacking with Ice Shard and run away. Dusknoir deduces the Snorunt's twisted behavior is because of the circumstances of the world and encourages him to ignore it and keep moving.

When the two reach the pinnacle of Dark Ice Mountain, a piece of ice frozen in midair above Grovyle suddenly falls down and Dusknoir pushes Grovyle out of the way at the cost of being hit by the ice. Grovyle is shocked that Dusknoir protected him from harm, and Dusknoir reveals they are about to be ambushed. A group of four Glalie surround them and Dusknoir explains they used their power over ice to drop the piece of ice from earlier and that they have become more vicious than usual. Then, a Mamoswine appears and attacks along with the Glalie. After the two defeat Mamoswine's gang, Dusknoir nearly collapses from the injury he sustained when the ice fell on him. The two take shelter in a crack in the ice on the mountain where they will be safe from view. Dusknoir notices from his travels with him that Grovyle has amazing leadership ability, strength, and determination, and wonders where all of it comes from. Grovyle asks Dusknoir why he saved him from the ice and Dusknoir explains that even though he despises Grovyle, he needs his strength to defeat the new henchman that replaced him. Dusknoir recovers quickly, and before they can move on, he asks Grovyle why he fights so hard to create a new future if it means disappearing forever, as Dusknoir cannot bear the thought of that happening to him. Grovyle understands Dusknoir's desire to not disappear, but he explains that he thinks that even if he were to disappear, a small part of him would live on forever. One way or another, Grovyle will no longer be around one day, so when it happens isn't important to him, and what is important to him is what he accomplishes with his life. Grovyle doesn't want to survive, but to live and shine, and that part of him will carry on forever through others he's met. Even if he would disappear, Grovyle's efforts would live on forever, and to him, that is purpose of living. Dusknoir contemplates Grovyle's words before the two move on.

The two reach a frozen forest with countless ice pillars that crackle with an odd electricity. The two spot another Snorunt, and despite Dusknoir's protest, Grovyle questions him if anyone else has come by. The Snorunt reveals he saw a group of Sableye come through carrying a pink Pokémon that Grovyle identifies as Celebi. Before the Snorunt can be questioned further, a nearby ice pillar begins releasing electricity and scares the Snorunt off. The two proceed to enter Icicle Forest to find Celebi.

When the two reach the end of the forest, they discover Celebi being held by Spiritomb just past four curved ice pillars. Grovyle questions Spiritomb about why they are holding Celebi captive, and Spiritomb claims it was not their plan. Suddenly, all of Grovyle's senses warn him of some impending danger, and he knows that something is wrong. Celebi awakens and Grovyle tries to rescue her, but when he enters the intersection of the four pillars, the pillars release streams of electricity that strike Grovyle and trap him. Spiritomb asks Dusknoir if they can leave, but Dusknoir asks him to stay a little longer, and the Sableye arrive. The trapped Grovyle asks Dusknoir what is going on, and Dusknoir reveals that everything was a part of his plan. Dusknoir explains that the electrical discharge of the pillars can melt the spirit away of any who are hit by it and his plan all along was to get Grovyle in the center of where the electricity is strongest. When Grovyle's spirit is melted away, Dusknoir will enter his body, return to the past, and use Grovyle's body to gain the Player and Partner's trust in order to stop them from preventing the planet's paralysis. Dusknoir reveals that the new henchman of Primal Dialga will be Grovyle himself.

Grovyle can't believe Dusknoir could have prepared such an elaborate plan, since they returned from the present at the same time, and there was no time when he could have told it to the Sableye. However, he realizes that when he and Dusknoir awoke when they returned to the future, Dusknoir was the one who regained consciousness first and told his plan to the Sableye. Dusknoir admits Grovyle was correct as the electricity starts to become stronger. He tells Grovyle his weakness is that he is trusting, and admits once again that he truly despises Grovyle, and even when he shielded him from the ice, it was part of the plan. Dusknoir tells Grovyle the reason he lost is because he trusted him. However, Grovyle reveals that he stills trusts Dusknoir, because during their talk at the ice crack, they had an understanding, and Grovyle saw what was inside Dusknoir's heart. Dusknoir denies this, but Grovyle states that during their travels, at some point, Dusknoir hatred vanished, and Grovyle sensed Dusknoir's spirit of loyalty and his shining spirit. Grovyle tells Dusknoir the reason he serves Primal Dialga is so he won't disappear, but asks him if that's what he really wants, if there is any way true happiness can be found in the dark future, and to think of what it means to truly live. Dusknoir remembers Grovyle's previous words about living on if even they disappear and becomes conflicted and confused. He begins doubting himself, and Grovyle asks the Sableye as well if they truly want to keep living in the world of darkness, and asks what their hearts tell them. The electricity reaches its strongest point and Grovyle feels his spirit melting away, but he is saved at the last minute by Dusknoir. Suddenly, Primal Dialga appears and attacks Dusknoir for abandoning his mission. The Sableye rally and attack Primal Dialga, only to be blasted away by him as he resumes attacking Dusknoir. Grovyle is still too weak from the electricity to help, and Spiritomb releases his spell on Celebi and flees. Finally able to move again, Celebi prepares to confront Primal Dialga.

Suddenly, the darkness in the sky is lifted and an aurora blankets the night sky. Dusknoir feels the wind blowing and realizes the planet's paralysis is being lifted. Grovyle realizes history has been changed by the Player and Partner. Primal Dialga becomes even more ferocious before blasting everyone and teleporting away. The Sableye tend to Dusknoir, who asks them to help Grovyle and Celebi as well.

After recovering, everyone gathers at the base of Vast Ice Mountain, where Primal Dialga has fled. Celebi reveals there is a Passage of Time at the peak of the mountain, but wonders how Primal Dialga knew where it was when she refused to reveal its location. Dusknoir guesses that during his rampage, Primal Dialga headed toward the Passage of Time on pure instinct. Grovyle fears Primal Dialga will attack the Passage of Time, and Dusknoir guesses that with the planet moving again, it may end disastrously. Dusknoir declares he, Grovyle, and Celebi will travel up the mountain and stop Primal Dialga, deciding not bring the Sableye to remain as mobile as possible. The Sableye tell everyone they are ready to face the future, and Grovyle begins noticing light coming off his body, a sign he is starting to disappear, and tells himself there is a just a little more to go before his mission is complete.

When the three reach the peak, they find Primal Dialga already there and seemingly in severe pain. Dusknoir guesses that the lifting of the planet's paralysis is affecting Primal Dialga's darkness-consumed heart. Grovyle spots the Passage of Time behind Primal Dialga, and everyone discovers time is becoming and more and restored. Light begins emanating from Primal Dialga and the others, and Dusknoir realizes it's a sign they are going to disappear soon. The three rally to use their remaining time to stop Primal Dialga from damaging time and engage him in one final fight for the future.

The three defeat Primal Dialga, who collapses and is knocked out. They then begin feeling the affects of history changing, and the light coming from them grows stronger. Primal Dialga disappears, and Dusknoir and Celebi begin to disappear as well. Before he disappears, Dusknoir asks Grovyle if his life truly shined, and Grovyle confirms it shone extraordinarily, and Dusknoir disappears, satisfied he was able to live with no regrets. Grovyle begins to disappear as well, and he crawls over to Celebi. The morning sun rises for the first time in a long time, and Celebi sees the sunrise for the first time, and is grateful she was able to see it with Grovyle. Time is restored across the world, and the three awaken and discover they haven't disappeared. Grovyle wonders why they didn't disappear if time changed, and it is revealed all the other Pokémon in the future didn't disappear either. Celebi is overjoyed by this, and Dusknoir wonders if it was some kind of miracle. However, Dialga, restored to his normal self, reveals it was no miracle that saved them, and shows through his telepathy that the bleak and dark future has changed to one filled with light and life. Grovyle asks Dialga if he was the one who saved them from disappearing, and Dialga answers it was not him. Dialga didn't have the power to stop them from disappearing, and that a being higher than himself could have done it. He expresses his gratitude for saving him and the entire Pokémon world from darkness. Grovyle wonders if the Player survived the changing of history as well, and he sends a message on the wind to the Player and Partner, thanking them for saving the future, telling them the Pokémon of the future are safe, that they will rebuild the world, and they are still alive.

Characters

• Grovyle
• Dusknoir
• Sableye
• Porygon
• Snorunt
• Spiritomb
• Celebi
• Primal Dialga

Trivia

• Due to it being used in a cutscene, Grovyle's Dig cannot be forgotten.
• Several things are revealed about the future in this episode:
  • According to Grovyle, there is a planetary investigation team that apparently was researching the planet's paralysis.
  • Most of the Pokémon that have been corrupted by darkness only seem to be able to communicate with indistinct sounds. Interestingly, the Glalie and Mamoswine produce a sound very similar to their core series games cries.
  • As Frozen Island is said to have been Blizzard Island in the past, and seeing that it is south of the future world, it strengthens the theory that the future world is in fact the Hidden Land, as Blizzard Island is south of the Hidden Land in the present. This is compounded by the fact that Grovyle himself travels up Temporal Tower, located in the Hidden Land.
• This episode takes place simultaneously with the player and partner's ascent of Temporal Tower.
• Although the main story seems to imply that Dusk Forest is the future equivalent of Foggy Forest, this special episode seems to place it somewhere in the Hidden Land or Blizzard Island instead.