"Here's another one Shade, but the statue's destroyed."

"Really? This one must be older than the last one, go see if there's an inscription."

"Alright."

Looking down Zen saw that there was indeed an inscription, this one appeared to be a lot shorter than the last one. Wiping away some of the dust Zen began to mentally read it.

'I never thought I'd see the day it happened, but there's no changing what is the past. I have done all I can to progress things, I hope to see you again one day Tamao... whether it is in life or death.'

"There's that name again! Who is Tamao?"

"I've heard that name throughout my past travels, apparently he was some famous criminal on Zocarive. Anyone who trusted him was stabbed in the back, both literally, and figuratively."

"Yeah, but that last statue sa–" "The last statue was made by one of his followers, Nightshade was the one who was trying to stop him."

"Okay, but where did you hear about this Tamao? I've been all around the world and have never heard his name spoken before."

"He's famous amongst criminals, they love to use his name as a way of threatening people."

"Huh, well the more you know ha."

"Yup, though looking back at the stories I was told they were probably all made up. Now come on. Let's get to Taviki."

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Tamao had been through a lot the last couple of weeks, well even a lot doesn't sum up how weird his life had become. Somehow the time traveling made the most sense to him.

One day you're just a low-life criminal, and the next you're trying to save the world. Feels just a bit ironic, doesn't it? Well, now he was about to have an encounter with another Pokemon he had never met, who appeared very confrontational based on their current stance in front of him. That stance is a fighting one...

The Pokemon standing in front of him was a very large Charizard, and the object behind him was a small tablet that held the powers of the gods if it was united with the rest scattered around the world.

"Give me that tablet kid, and no one will be hurt."

"Who are you calling a kid?" Tamao asked in the most threatening tone he could muster facing a Pokemon that could probably squish him like a bug.

"Oh, so you want to act tough huh. I'm gonna enjoy this."

With plenty of warning by this point, the Charizard shot a flamethrower at Tamao. It hit Tamao directly who was thrown back by the sheer force of the attack, then while trying to get up the Charizard shot another flamethrower that all but knocked Tamao out.

"Wow, based on all I've heard about you I was hoping for a better fight. Looks like I'll be leaving disappointed. Oh well, at least I can let my boss know I got what he wanted."

"N-no, d-d-don't t-take that t-tablet."

"Oh, and why shouldn't I?"

"Y-you'll doom this world, whatever your boss has told you is a lie. He'll leave you for dead the first chance he gets."

"And you think I'm gonna believe that? Ha, pathetic. Who do you take me for? I'm not blind or dense, I know who I can and can't trust. I know I can't trust you."

The Charizard then turned around and left the cavern, tablet in hand. Tears were forming in Tamao's eyes, but not tears of sadness... tears of fear. Tamao was afraid of what would happen in the future, Nightshade was here, there was no denying that anymore. But how long has he been here? How many tablets does he have? How many followers does he have?

With these thoughts running through his head he looked over at Inari who looked absolutely terrified, Ayla was even more terrified and was cowering behind Inari watching Tamao with wide eyes.

Getting up from his flattened position Tamao dusted himself off and looked over at the two of them.

"I think, we should head back to the hotel, and get some rest," Tamao said to them, defeated.

"T-this i-is m-my f-fault... i-isn't it?" Ayla asked walking over to Tamao.

"No, you helped me more than anything. That was just bad timing, but it also answers some questions I had. The first is how strong am I?"

"Don't beat yourself up Tamao, that dude was huge," Inari told him putting her paw on his shoulder.

"I'm not beating myself up, I'm just saying what's true. I'm not a strong fighter when I don't have anything directly on the line. And even then, adrenalin is the reason I win those fights."

"Well, my mother always told me. 'When someone hits you hard, respond by getting up and hitting them harder,' I know you'll get stronger if you train hard."

"Thanks, Inari, you're the best partner I could ask for."

"I try, now come on. We have a job to finish."

Leading the way out Inari helped Tamao walk since he was wobblier than someone who drank fermented berries. Ayla walked nervously behind them mostly looking at her paws, to say her thoughts were running a mile a minute would be an understatement.

She went from having no parents, to now having an adoptive father who she stole from prior. Then he proceeds to get beat up by a Charizard that seems to know who he is. This was not making any sense in her mind, but she was probably overthinking it. She should be happy, and she was happy... but she could feel that little voice in the back of her head saying that this friendly Eevee would one day abandon her, Ayla could only really hope that the voice was wrong and Tamao was who he appeared to be.

After a surprisingly short walk, they arrived back at their hotel and entered where they were greeted by Nick who looked just as bleak as Tamao felt.

"You look like hell Tamao."

"Well, I feel like it too."

"Well, make sure you get plenty of rest tonight, the mayor wants you two–" Nick cut himself off mid-sentence after noticing Ayla who tried to hide behind Tamao.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Ayla, I've been wondering when someone you robbed would finally chase you down. Though looks like you won the jackpot."

"W-w-what's t-t-th-that mean?"

"Oh nothing bad, just saying being caught by guild members was probably your best option. I'm truly happy you'll no longer be on the streets, if I had the money I would've adopted you myself... Anyway, Tamao and Inari. Lako wants you two to help repair the general store's roof."

"Alright, that sounds good. Thank you for informing us, Nick."

"Yeah well, I want to see this place get better... I'd prefer not to pack up shop and move but I might have to with the way things are going."

Inari decided to head up to their room with Ayla as Tamao continued to converse with Nick.

"So Nick, what do you know about Ayla?"

"Not much really, lost her parents a long time ago. Then because of the stigma with Zorua's no one adopted her, it was a sad sight to see for sure. Then one day she ran away from the orphanage and people started getting robbed, everyone had an idea of who it was. Some wanted her imprisoned but she was quick enough that no one could ever apprehend her, until tonight when you did. How did you manage to catch her?"

"Just chased her through the woods and followed her into a cave. I've been in a similar situation as her. So I wanted to give her a better life than I had. I see myself in her, a scared kid who had nothing else to do besides steal to get by."

"It's a shame what happened, but the past can't be changed. No matter how badly we want to."

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted as the door to the hotel opened. In walked a Ninetales and a Raichu.

"How can I help you fine gentleman tonight?" Nick asked excitedly.

"Hey there, I'm Zen and this is my friend Shade. We need a room for a couple of nights."

"Of course, just fill out this paperwork and I'll get a key for ya. We can continue our conversation in a minute Tamao, just gotta get this taken care of."

"I'm in no rush, Nick."

The ears on the Raichu and the Ninetales both seemed to perk up at Tamao's name being spoken. The Eevee chose to ignore the side glances he was getting as he waited for them to get their key.

Tamao was then touched on his right shoulder startling him. Turning around quickly he saw Inari smiling at him.

"We were starting to think you died down here."

"I think I'm alive, I could be wrong though."

"You seem to have a pulse as far as I can tell."

Good enough for me."

"Inari?" A voice asked from behind Tamao, when he turned around he saw the Ninetales staring past him and looking at Inari.

"Dad? Is that you?"

"It is me!"

"It's been so long, how have your travels been?"

"They've been great! We're discovering so many things never recorded on maps before!"

Tamao finally processed what he was hearing and decided to join the conversation. "Wait, you're Inari's father?"

"Yep! But uh... I've never seen you before... Who are you and what are you doing with my daughter?"

"Oh, I'm her partner, Tamao."

"Tamao you say? Have you ever heard those stories of the criminal named Tamao?" The Raichu asked walking up beside Zen.

"Yeah, I've heard the stories. Not a large fan of them since they leave out his redemption arc but it is what it is."

"He has a redemption arc?"

"Oh yeah, as the story goes he joined a guild and made some friends that helped him choose the right path, then Zocarive was destroyed and his story ends there. Or so the legends say."

"I like you, kid!" The Raichu laughed before reaching a paw forward for Tamao to shake. "The names Shade, pleased to meet ya."

"Likewise, so if I may ask... What have you discovered on your travels just out of curiosity."

"Well, as of late we've been finding these temple-like buildings with all these inscriptions, all written in Zocar. Thankfully Neesha taught me how to read Zocar when we met. All the temples have had some mention of the legendary Tamao."

"Nearing choking on his saliva, Tamao looked into Zen's eyes. "I need to know the locations of these temples!"

"Woah, quite a shift in attitude huh? What's got you so worked up?" Shade asked startled by Tamao's sudden outburst.

"Have they all had a plaque or tablet of some kind?"

"Yeah, each one."

"Good, that means he has gotten to them yet."

"Who is this 'he' you speak of?"

"Nightshade, the one who destroyed Zocarive."