(Every time 'the next morning' appears, it means after the Morning Assembly, unless said otherwise)
Chapter 6 Team Skull
It was the same morning as always for Team FlameTail, except Chatot told everyone what Pika and Char were told about the night before. About the Expedition. Then, everyone headed off to complete another day's work. Except, this time, when Pika and Char went to the job bulletin board, they saw two familiar Pokémon reading from the board.
"Koffing and Zubat?! What are you two doing here?" Pika asked. "Well, well, well. Look Koffing, it's the big chicken and the hero" Zubat teased. "We're part of an exploration team, why do you ask; do you think it's weird for Exploration Team members to check out the Job Bulletin Board?" Koffing replied. "We're Team Skull, although our exploration team doesn't always do things...by the book." Zubat said.
"Anyway, what are you two doing here?" asked Koffing. "We're training as apprentices here at the guild to become an Exploration Team." answered Pika. "What?! You want to be a member of a real Exploration Team? You can never do that, you get scared too easily." Zubat said. "Well, it's true that I can get scared at times, but that's another reason why I'm training at the guild, so I can overcome my weaknesses! Right now, we're trying to be able to go on a Guild Expedition!" Pika said bravely. "An Expedition you say, well, you'd be too wimpy to be a part of that" Zubat said. "And anyway" Koffing continued "you'd need talent to be able to handle an Expedition!" Koffing finished.
"B-big talk!" Pika cried "Anyway, you talk about talent, but you're so weak, we beat you!" "Yes, but we didn't have the chief with us" said Koffing. "Ch-chief?" asked Pika. "Yes, our team, Team Skull, has 3 members." "The Chief is incredibly talented." "To put it bluntly, he's brutally tough." explained Koffing "If we had the Chief with us, we'd snap you like a twig, wouldn't we Koffing?" "Yep, oh, speaking about the chief, I can smell him coming right now!" "Smell?" asked a very worried Pika.
Then, a Skuntank came down the ladder where Char was standing. "Hey you, out of my way!" Skuntank launched a huge poison gas cloud at Char, who had barely any time to react. Although, time suddenly slowed down for Char and Pika as Char was suddenly engulfed by a yellow aura. "Char, quickly launch an ember attack at the Poison Gas!" said Pika, not wasting any time.
So, Char fired an Ember attack, which turned into a Flamethrower, at the cloud. Char may have protected himself, but the mixture of fire and gas didn't go well. 'BOOOOOOOOM!!!!' The explosion engulfed the first floor of the guild, shooting Team Skull up and out of the guild and knocking out all of the Guild Members, but, somehow Pika managed to avoid being wiped out by the blast.
After time returned to normal, Char asked "Pika, are you alright? How'd you survive an explosion that big?" Char asked. "Well, it's a very long story, but let's just say I've survived bigger explosions before...Anyway, how'd you slow time for us two?" "I have no idea..."
The next day, after completing jobs, reviving Guild Recruits and the morning assembly...
"HEY, TEAM FLAMETAIL!!! COME HERE!!!" yelled Loudred as the other recruits climbed the ladder to the Bulletin Boards. "Sorry, but I have something else I have to do today. Please complete Sentry Duty today. Bye!" said Diglett as he burrowed away. "OK, so do you TWO remember how to COMPLETE Sentry Duty?"
"Yep, we remember" replied Pika. "OK, so let's get to WORK!" Pika and Char climbed down to the Sentry Post and worked all day again. Pika identified a Skitty, Golbat, Caterpie and Chikorita, while Char identified a Chimchar, Sceptile, Munchlax and a Gengar. Afterwards, they climbed back up to the Guild, where Chatot announced their perfect score and gave them 400Pokè, a Reviver Seed, Violent Seed, Pure Seed and an Escape Orb.
Later that night...
"Today was great, wasn't it Char, but I've remembered something about the Sky Tower, which is the tower of clouds you mentioned. It all happened a long time ago, when Rescue Teams, which were teams of PokÁèm0n who rescued Pokémon from the unbelievable rate of Natural Disasters that were happening all the time back then, existed instead of Exploration Teams. Anyway, I was in a Rescue Team with another Pokémon who, unfortunately, I've forgotten almost everything about, was also a human transformed into a Pokémon like you. Well, we found out that the huge number of Natural Disasters was being caused by a meteor heading straight at the world! So, we were teleported to Sky Tower, via an Alakazam's and a Xatu's Teleport Gem, to meet the only Pokémon who could save the world, Rayquaza. We climbed the 34 floors to meet him, but he wouldn't listen to us about the meteor, so we battled against him. The only thing I can remember after that is that after we won, I looked up and saw the meteor heading straight for us. I quickly explained the situation to Rayquaza, then he powered up and fired a Hyper Beam at the meteor, causing the biggest explosion ever. But, that's it, sorry I can't tell you anymore..." Pika finished.
"That's alright; you were able to give me enough information about it, thanks!" "It's getting late, though, so we'd better go to sleep, good night Pika..."
Meanwhile...
"Yes, another one!" a mysterious Pokémon ran through a cavern to a Time Gear. "Now, I only have three left, hopefully I will get them all in time..."
Back at the Guild...
"Now Guild, we have some temporary visitors to the Guild!" said Chatot. Everyone started talking amongst themselves. "New allies, huh?" said Bidoof. "I wonder who it could be?" said Sunflora. Suddenly, the floor was filled with a terrible stench. "Ewww! What smells?" asked Sunflora. "It sure is a mighty terrible smell, yup yup!" said Bidoof.
Then, Team Skull climbed down the ladder and walked over to the front of the assembly. "Hi, I'm Zubat." "I'm Koffing, glad to meet you!" "I'm Skuntank; remember it, especially you two, claw-haw-haw..." He looked at Pika and Char. "Oh, have you already met? Well, that simplifies things!" Chatot said. "You could say that" Pika said quietly. "These Pokémon will be joining us on the Expedition, so to give them a chance to start teamwork with us, they will be staying with us for a few days" explained Chatot.
"Whaaat!" cried Pika. "Hmm? Why are you so shocked?" asked Chatot. "Oh, don't be worried about him Chatot; he overreacts to any little thing." Skuntank told Chatot. "Alright...well, they will be staying here for a few days, so treat them politely" said Chatot. Everyone started talking amongst each other. "Hmm, I hope this expedition is over soon, yup yup!" whispered Bidoof. "Yeah, can't Chatot see that this STINKS, literally?!" Loudred said. "Okay Pokémon, let's get to work!" shouted Chatot.
"Hooray..." said everyone quietly. "Hmmm? Where's all your spirit gone?" asked Chatot. "Are you KIDDING?!!! This STINKS!!! How can you expect us to be cheerful when...?" Suddenly, the Guild started shaking violently, stopping Loudred from speaking. "What's this, an earthquake?" asked Pika. Chatot turned around and saw Wigglytuff getting angry. "YOOOOMMM!!!!! YOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!!!" said Wigglytuff.
"Oh no! The Guildmaster! His rage is building! Quick everyone! Be cheerful even if it hurts!" yelled Chatot over the rumbling and Wigglytuff. "Okay Pokémon, let's get to work!" shouted Chatot.
"HOORAY!!!" everyone cheered. Wigglytuff instantly calmed down and the earthquake stopped suddenly. Then, everyone quickly ran off to complete another day of Guild work, including Team FlameTail...
Later that night, after dinner...
After confirming that everyone was asleep, Team Skull quietly walked over toward the mess hall. "That dinner was pathetic! I'd never get full with food like that!" Koffing grumbled. "Hey chief, what are we doing?" asked Zubat. "Shhhh! We're going to find the Guild's stock of food so we can have a proper meal. So, keep quiet! Claw-haw-haw!"
The Next Morning...
Team FlameTail, come here please." said Chatot. Pika and Char walked over to Chatot, who was looking worried. "Your job today is to restock the larder." "Larder? You mean food?" "Precisely Pika. For some unknown reason, the guild has suddenly run low on supplies. Furthermore, there was one item that was completely cleaned out, the Perfect Apples." "Perfect Apples? What are they?" asked Char." Chatot explained "Perfect Apples are very big, very delicious apples, which happen to be the Guildmaster's favourite food. If he was to get no perfect apples, then the Guildmaster would...would..." "Yes? What would happen to the Guildmaster Chatot?" asked Char. "H-he would...um.........erk! Yes, that's what would happen!" "Huh? I didn't hear you Chatot. Oh well, Pika, let's go! Er, where are we going exactly Chatot?" "You will be going to Apple Woods. The Perfect Apples will be in the deepest part of the forest. Good luck, and whatever you do, don't fail! Remember, this is about the Guildmaster's.........erk!"
"Don't worry! We won't fail! Let's go Pika! Off to Apple Woods!" Near the mess hall, Team Skull was listening to what was going on. "Heh-heh! They have to go foraging in the woods for some apples, just because we had ourselves a big feast last night!" smirked Koffing. "A thankless task, thanks to us!" Skuntank declared quietly. "Hey, let's mess with them." said Zubat. So, while Pika and Char headed out to Apple Woods, Team Skull followed them closely and quietly...
Later, at Apple Woods...
Apple Woods was full of grass type Pokémon, so Char defeated most of the Pokémon that got in their way, although Pika had to be careful, since his Thundershock didn't cause much damage to the wild Pokémon. They were both able to level up to level 15, so the dungeon turned out to be a great training experience. By the time Pika and Char reached Deep Apple Woods, it was afternoon.
They looked up at a huge tree in the middle of a clearing. "Hey Pika, are those Perfect Apples?" "I guess so, let's have a look." When they got there, they realised that there were only 7 Perfect Apples left on the tree. "Hmmm...how are we going to get them Char?" "That's easy!" said a familiar voice from on the top of the tree.
Then, Team Skull jumped from the tree, shaking the ground and causing the apples to fall onto the ground. "Team Skull?! What are you doing here?!" Pika shouted. "We were just helping out...now hurry up, pick up the apples and scurry off back to the guild now." Koffing said. "You're going to pull a dirty trick on us, aren't you?!" Char said. "Aww, you still don't trust us, even after we just helped you?" Skuntank said.
There was a long silence, which was broken by Pika. "We aren't falling for your tricks!" he exclaimed. "Colour me surprised! They didn't fall for our trick after all!" cried Zubat. "I knew it..." whispered Pika. "Ok, since you want a fight, we'll take you on, fair and square!" Skuntank said as he and Koffing stood next to each other, ready to fight, although Zubat backed away from the two. "Be careful Char, they're up to something!" "Now, Koffing and I will unleash our...Noxious Gas Combo Special!"
Skuntank said as both Koffing and himself launched two simultaneous Poison Gas attacks at Team FlameTail. Char felt the fire power flow again and launched it as a shield. Unfortunately, he couldn't get over to Pika to shield him.
"Waaaahhhhhh!" yelled Pika as the gas cloud enveloped him. Char felt a strange power engulf him as he started glowing orange. He was sped up and his attacks were stronger. Char quickly shot an Ember attack, which turned into a Flamethrower attack, at Skuntank, but the Poison Cloud got in the way...
'BBBBOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM' The Explosion shot Team Skull far away, but it also engulfed and knocked Pika unconscious. "Oh no!" Char ran over to Pika. "Well, he's alive, but these injuries are bad! I'll have to get him back to the Guild before it's too late!" "Hey, small Charmander! Maybe I can help!" From out of the trees came a Grovyle.
"I saw your battle, you're gifted with the Time Control Ability, which a friend of mine had, although I haven't seen him for a while...anyway, I'm faster than you, so I could get your friend to the Guild very quickly. I just have one question." "Yes, what is it?" "Where is the Guild?"
"Oh, travel west for 20km, then travel southwest until you reach the crossroads." "Ok, now, I need you to promise that you don't tell anyone, not even this Pikachu, who I am or where you saw me." "Ok, I won't tell anyone."
"Thank you, bye!" said the Grovyle as he quickly ran off. "...Huh? What was that in his Treasure Bag? They looked like some sort of small blue-green gears...oh well, I'd better bring these apples back to the guild..." thought Char as he placed the apples into his Treasure Bag and headed off back to the Guild.
5 Days Later...
"Ohhhhhh, my head..." mumbled Pika as he got out of bed. "Good morning Char...Char? Hey Chimecho, where's Char?" "He's out in the assembly area, waiting, like everyone else, for you to wake up." "Huh? What happened?"
"Char explained that while on a mission to get some Perfect Apples, Team Skull were waiting at the Perfect Apple tree to ambush you. They used a combination of very toxic gases to try to knock you out for a long while, but Char's Flamethrower got in the way and it caused a huge explosion, sending Team Skull blasting away and leaving you seriously injured. Luckily, you both made it back here just in time though."
"Wow, is that what happened? I don't remember much..." "Well, you were asleep for a few days, Oh well, sorry to interrupt, but I should call the guild in here...Everyone! Pika's awake!" shouted Chimecho. Suddenly, the room was packed with Guild members.
"Are you alright, Pika?" asked Chatot. "Yep, I'm fine." Pika replied. "Yes! I can't believe you're alright! This is brilliant!" shouted Char. "Everyone was really worried!" said Sunflora. "You gave everyone quite a scare, yup!" said Bidoof. "But, hey, hey, hey, It's good to see you're ok again!" said Corphish. "By the way, who made the expedition, Chatot?" asked Pika. "Oh, of course, the expedition members..." Chatot mumbled. "Everyone! It's time for the morning briefing! Let's quickly go to the assembly area." yelled Chatot over all of the talking recruits.
Everyone ran over to the assembly area as quickly as possible. "Now that everyone's here, I will read the Guildmaster's memo, Guildmaster, the memo please." Wigglytuff handed the memo over to Chatot. "This memo has the names of all of the Expedition members, which I will now read out..." There was a small silence, which was broken by Chatot.
"The 1st team is Loudred, Sunflora, Bidoof and Chimecho!" "Wow, we got chosen?!" said a stunned Sunflora. "Well, it's only NATURAL that I'd get CHOSEN!!!" exclaimed Loudred.
"Anyway, the next team is...Croagunk, Dugtrio, Corphish and Diglett." "We're a solid team" said Dugtrio. "Hey, hey, hey, let's get this done!" said Corphish.
"The Guildmaster and I will accompany each other." "Awww! I have to go with Chatot? That's soooo boooring!" complained Wigglytuff. "Please, don't make this difficult, this is a key element to our strategy..." Chatot answered. Wigglytuff paused, then said "Meanie"
"Anyway, our final team is" Chatot paused to try to add suspense "Team FlameTail!" "And, that's the end of the briefing, now... huh? What? Whaaaaaat? Guildmaster, this list seems to include the whole Guild crew!" "That's right!"
"But that means that the entire selection process was meaningless! Furthermore, we can't just leave the Guild unattended!" "Don't worry! We'll lock up properly! And besides, having the whole Guild come will make the trip a lot more fun!" Wigglytuff explained.
"Alright...everyone! Listen up!" shouted Chatot. "We will be leaving for Fogbound Lake shortly, so you should all get packed and ready for the long journey. Remember, this is a Guild-Exclusive Expedition, so no non-guild members may accompany you. When you're ready, meet everyone back here. That is all."
20 Minutes Later...
Ok, now that everyone's here and that I have all of your attention, please open your Wonder Maps. Everyone opened their Wonder Maps as Chatot showed everyone a large version of a Wonder Map. "This is the Guild." Chatot pointed to a Wigglytuff symbol.
"And this is where Fogbound Lakes supposed location is. Since no one has been there, it has clouds covering it on the map." Chatot pointed to a cloud on the map approximately 100km from the Guild. Since it is such a long distance away, we will make a base camp, which will be situated here." Chatot pointed to a spot just outside of the border of the clouds and just inside of a forest, around 60km from the Guild.
"Now, is everyone with their groups?" "Yes!" exclaimed everyone. "Ok, now let's go!" shouted Chatot as everyone climbed the ladders, walked out of the Guild and went along their separate paths. Team FlameTail, after thinking long and hard, decided on a coastal route, since going along the coast was the quickest way of getting to Base Camp...