Chapter 8
Groudon's Heart
General P.O.V.
When they exited the dungeon, Bidoof was tired out. Jolt was as well, but Luna was fine though she made it look like it took a lot out of her.
"W-we did it! We got over Mt. Horn!" Bidoof cheered. "We finally made it! Yes sirree! We have arrived at the base camp!"
Luna smiled as she saw the base camp in sight. She saw a few apprentices by some tents with Chatot with his back turned waiting at the entrance.
"Howdy, folks!" Bidoof called, getting everyone's attention. "Sorry to keep you all waiting!"
Chatot turned around, looking annoyed.
"You all are late!" Chatot shouted. "Everyone else arrived a long time ago!"
Jolt and Bidoof looked nervous but Luna just sighed.
"Sorry about that, Chatot" Luna said. "We took the route through Craggy Coast and Mt. Horn, so it took longer than we expected."
Chatot nodded, calming down. Whenever Luna talked, his anger always seemed to calm down.
"Go set your equipment down. Make haste!" Chatot said. "Now that everyone's assembled, let's get on with our strategy briefing."
Bidoof nodded.
"Yes sirree!" Bidoof said.
Everyone else began headed up towards the entrance to the forest while Luna looked off to the side, which Jolt noticed.
"Hmm? What's wrong, Luna?" Jolt asked.
This place hasn't changed since the last time I was here. There's no doubt that this is the path to Uxie's lake. Now, I just need to figure out how to make sure that Uxie doesn't reveal who I really am to Jolt.
Suddenly, Chatot flew back to them, breaking Luna from her thoughts.
"Come on, come on! We haven't got all day!" Chatot said.
Jolt nodded as Chatot flew back to Wigglytuff.
"Let's go, Luna" Jolt said.
Luna nodded and followed Jolt to where the others were at the entrance. Team Skull stood off to the left side while Sora was by the Kangaskhan Rock with Wigglytuff and Chatot stood in front of the apprentices.
"Erm...Attention, please" Chatot called.
Everyone turned their attention to Chatot.
"It appears everyone has arrived at our base camp safe and sound" Chatot said. "We shall now proceed to the exploration of Fogbound Lake!"
Chatot then motioned towards the forest.
"As you can see, we are in a densely forested area" Chatot explained. "Somewhere within this forest, Fogbound Lake is supposedly concealed. But so far, that has been nothing more than a rumor. Exploration teams of all stripes have mounted many a challenge, but so far the lake has eluded discovery."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Corphish said. "Hey, hey! So is it really there or what?! This Fogbound Lake?!"
Sunflora sighed.
"Silly Corphish" Sunflora said. "You'll wreck the dream if you say something like that."
"Yeah, don't spoil things now!" Loudred said.
"Hey, hey…" Corphish said, trailing off.
Chimecho then remembered something.
"Um, may I?" Chimecho asked.
Everyone turned their attention to Chimecho.
"Um, while we were traveling, I heard about a certain legend" Chimecho said.
That caught Chatot's interest.
"A legend, you say?" Chatot asked.
"Yes. A legend about Fogbound Lake" Chimecho answered. "According to the legend, Fogbound Lake is home to a Pokémon named Uxie. The Pokémon is said to be exceedingly rare. Uxie is said to lock eyes with others and wipe their memories clean."
Luna gained a dry look at the news while the others looked shocked.
Looks like Uxie is up to his same tricks. Then again, he has his reasons for doing so. It's the only way he knows to protect the lake besides his illusions.
"That is why, even if travelers were to happen upon Fogbound Lake...Uxie would wipe their memories clean" Chimecho explained. "Thereby muzzling the travelers from revealing the existence of the lake. And that is how Uxie protects Fogbound Lake. I was told such a legend remains."
Bidoof looked nervous at the tale.
"Golly, that's a pretty hair-raising tale!" Bidoof said.
"What'll I do if my MEMORY is wiped clean?" Loudred asked.
Sunflora sighed and gave him a dry look.
"I don't think you have much to worry about" Sunflora said. "After all, you're so forgetful anyway, you make me go eek!"
Chatot cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention.
"You should realize that places of this sort can be expected to have a folktale or a legend attached to them" Chatot said. "Our guild has overcome difficult challenges and obstacles when conducting successful explorations."
The apprentices nodded.
"Absolutely, eek!" Sunflora said.
"That's how our guild has earned the reputation for being first class" Dugtrio said.
Wigglytuff then walked in front of Sora slightly.
"Ha ha ha! Don't worry, everything will be all right!" Wigglytuff said, cheerfully. "Let's believe in success for this adventure too, and...Let's try! Let's try!"
Chatot nodded at Wigglytuff and looked back at the apprentices.
"Let's move on with our plan" Chatot said. "The Guildmaster and I shall remain here to gather intelligence from our teams in the field. You are to go off in teams to explore this forest. Be aware that this forest is enshrouded in a deep fog. Once you enter it, visibility is severely restricted. We think that Fogbound Lake has defied discovery because of this fog. Perhaps there is a way of lifting this fog."
Everyone nodded.
"Therefore, your search is twofold" Chatot explained. "One, search for Fogbound Lake. And two, find a way to lift the fog. If you accomplish either thing, return to base camp and tell me or the Guildmaster. That is all. All right, everyone. Let's give it our best, as always."
"HOORAY!" Everyone cheered.
"Let's all try our best!" Sunflora said.
"It'd be nice if we made a discovery or two" Bidoof said.
"We'll find the lake! I'm sure of it!" Chimecho said.
"I'll be the FIRST to find it!" Loudred said.
"Dad, do you think maybe Fogbound Lake could be under the ground" Diglett asked. "I was thinking we should try looking underground."
"Ah, my son, my pride and joy" Dugtrio said. "You make me proud. Let's look underground."
Dugtrio then turned to the others.
"Ok, everyone, we're off" Dugtrio said.
Then Diglett and Dugtrio borrowed away. Corphish turned to Chimecho, Loudred and Bidoof.
"Hey, hey, hey! We can't afford to dawdle, either!" Corphish said.
"Yup yup! We need to hurry!" Bidoof said.
Then the apprentices besides Jolt and Luna went inside the forest. Skunktank then turned to Zubat and Koffing.
"Well then, we should go too" Skunktank said. "Hmm, boys? Chaw-haw-haw!"
"Heh-heh-heh!" Zubat said.
"Whoa-ho-ho!" Koffing said.
Then the group went into the forest. Then Sora nodded at Jolt and Luna before he went into the forest as well. After Sora was gone, Jolt looked over at Luna.
"Let's go, Luna" Jolt said. " We need to hurry."
Luna was still thinking about Uxie, so she didn't hear Jolt.
The question I need to figure out is how to make sure Uxie understands the situation without alerting either Jolt or Darkrai. I know he'll be watching me closely just to make sure I really don't remember anything.
"Hey, Luna!" Jolt called, breaking Luna from her thoughts.
"Why do you keep drifting off like that?" Jolt asked. "It's not like you."
Luna gave a sheepish look.
"Sorry about that, Jolt" Luna apologized. "I'm just thinking about what Chimecho said, that's all. I find that legend very interesting."
Jolt nodded.
"Alright, but we need to hurry and get ready and go into the forest" Jolt said.
Luna nodded.
"Right" Luna said. "We can't have everyone just show us up."
Jolt nodded as they went to the Kangaskhan Rock. Once they put their newer items inside and swapped for some items from storage, they went to the entrance of the forest.
"Are you ready, Luna?" Jolt asked.
Luna nodded.
"Yes, let's go" Luna said.
Jolt nodded.
"Alright, which way should we go?" Jolt asked. "Foggy Forest or Forest Path?"
"Foggy Forest" Luna answered.
Jolt nodded.
"Alright. Foggy Forest it is" Jolt said. "All right, let's roll out!"
They began walking towards the entrance to the forest when Luna stopped for a moment to think.
The question, though, is how to go about it. Sure, Uxie would be willing to listen to what I have to say but I don't want to get him too involved with what's going on. He's unaware of Darkrai's scheme because I asked Dialga to keep him and his siblings in the dark so that they wouldn't be targeted. He's a close friend and I don't want to get him involved if I don't have to.
"Huh? What is this?" Jolt asked, breaking Luna from her thoughts.
Luna walked farther ahead to see Jolt next to a red gem.
"It looks like some kind of stone, I guess" Jolt said. "It's red and pretty. It's kind of like a gem, actually."
Jolt then picked it up before gaining a surprised look at how warm it was.
"Wow! This stone feels warm!" Jolt said. "It's like heat is coming from inside the stone. It's weird. It doesn't seem to be lava. What could it be? It might be rare. I'll keep it. All right, let's roll, Luna!"
Luna nodded and they entered the forest. While inside they ran into Hoothoot, Zigzagoon and Pachirisu as well as the occasional Cherubi and Buneary. When they exited the dungeon, they came to a clearing with waterfalls coming down around them with no explanation. Luna could clearly see the reason for it, but kept it to herself. Jolt was too busy looking around in awe to notice.
"It's incredible!" Jolt said. "The water's coming down in waterfalls all over the place!"
Jolt then looked over at Luna.
"But...Where are we?" Jolt asked. "Is this the deepest part of the forest?"
Jolt tried looking around, but the fog gave him trouble.
"Hmm...The fog is so thick, I can't tell which way we can go" Jolt said.
Luna sighed.
"Hey, hey, hey!" A familiar voice shouted up ahead.
Jolt and Luna looked in the direction of the voice.
"Look, It's Corphish!" Jolt said.
Then Luna and Jolt walked over to him.
"Hey, hey! You two find any clues?" Corphish asked.
Jolt shook his head.
"No, nothing yet" Jolt answered. "How about you, Corphish?"
Corphish shook his head.
"I've got nothing here, either" Corphish said. "Don't let it get you down. But...There is something here that's kind of interesting."
"Interesting?" Jolt asked.
Corphish motioned up ahead.
"There. Have a look for yourself" Corphish said.
Jolt and Luna walked with Corphish until they across a statue of a Pokémon Luna recognized as Groudon.
"Wh-what?! What is this?!" Jolt asked.
"I don't know" Corphish answered. "It seems to be a statue of a Pokémon."
"But what kind of Pokémon is that?" Jolt asked.
Corphish shook his head.
"I've never seen a Pokémon like that before" Corphish answered.
Jolt then looked around the statue until he went to the right side and noticed something.
"Oh? Is something inscribed here?" Jolt asked, seeing a inscription on a plate on the statue.
Corphish and Luna quickly walked over.
"It's in footprint runes. Let me read it" Jolt said. "Reignite the life that burned within Groudon...Then the sky shall blaze with the sun's heat...The path to the treasure shall be revealed."
Jolt then noticed the last part of the message.
"'The path to the treasure'? That's incredible!" Jolt said. "Oh, Luna! Treasure?! Could this be the treasure of Fogbound Lake?! 'The path to the treasure shall be revealed.' So this means...The secret to finding Fogbound Lake could be hidden right here!"
"Hey, hey, hey! Y-you think so?" Corphish asked. "Hey, hey! Now that's a mystery we've got to solve!"
Jolt nodded.
"This part of the footprint runes…" Jolt said. "This part about 'life that burned within Groudon.' What's this about? So this 'Groudon,' is it this statue?"
"Hey, hey! So we're supposed to what, ignite the life that was in this statue?" Corphish asked.
Jolt nodded.
"Yeah, but ignite the life? How do we do that?" Jolt said.
Jolt then thought of something and turned to Luna.
"Oh, Luna!" Jolt whispered. "Try touching this statue! Maybe you'll see something!"
Luna nodded.
Well it's worth a try. I can't guarantee what I'll see but I can at least try.
Jolt stepped to the side so that Luna could touch the statue. Luna placed her paw on the statue and closed her eyes.
"Feeling anything, Luna?" Jolt asked.
Just then, Luna started feeling dizzy. She knew what was happening.
It's coming...The dizzy feeling.
Suddenly, the vision began but there was only a voice.
That's it! It's here! It's here!" Grovyle's voice called.
The vision ended after that. Luna was rather surprised because she knew who it was.
Grovyle...So that's what it decided to show me. The time we found the Time Gear for Fogbound Lake, but only Grovyle's voice.
Then the dizziness started up again.
Another one...So soon after the last one.
The vision started like last time with only a voice.
I see! Place the Drought Stone in Groudon's heart. That lifts the fog! Very well done! Good job, partner!" Grovyle said.
The vision ended after that and Luna opened her eyes.
Grovyle...I pray for your safety every day, but I have other things I have to worry about right now. Right now, I need to focus on solving Uxie's puzzle.
"Are you alright, Luna?" Jolt asked. "Did you see something?"
Luna nodded and then remembered the stone Jolt picked up earlier.
That has to be the Drought Stone.
Luna then walked over to the front of the statue and noticed an indentation in its chest where its heart should be.
"Did you figure something out, Luna?" Jolt asked.
Luna nodded and look at Jolt.
"Jolt, remember that stone you picked up?" Luna asked.
"Yeah, the stone I picked up back at the base camp" Jolt answered. "Why?"
"I want you to put it in the statue's chest" Luna said.
"You want me to put it in the statue's chest?" Jolt asked, just to be sure.
Luna nodded.
"Sure! I'll try it!" Jolt said.
Luna moved to the side and Jolt took her place. Jolt looked at the statue as he took out the stone and noticed the same thing as Luna.
"So I should put it in this indentation?" Jolt asked.
Luna nodded. Then Jolt placed the stone in the indentation. The eyes on the statue began to glow red and the ground began to shake.
"Wa-waah! Watch out!" Jolt shouted. "Step back, everyone!"
Everyone took a few steps back as the statue began to glow. It emitted a bright light that everyone had to cover their eyes. When they uncovered their eyes, the fog was gone.
"Hey, hey! The fog is gone!" Corphish said.
"The sky cleared...The sunlight's harsh!" Jolt said.
Then Jolt looked up and was in for the shock of his life.
"Hey! Look!" Jolt shouted. " B-both of you! Up! Look up!"
Luna and Corphish looked up. Luna was in awe of how it looked without the fog while Corphish was shocked.
"Hey, hey! What is that?!" Corphish asked.
"That's what the fog was hiding" Jolt answered. "It's no wonder Fogbound Lake evaded discovery for all this time. We were just wandering around in circles too."
"Hey, hey! So you're saying...You're saying Fogbound Lake is up there?" Corphish asked. "Hey, hey, hey?!"
"Yes. That's what I think" Jolt answered. "Fogbound Lake has to be up there!"
What they all saw was a raised plateau with water coming down from it.
"Hey, hey! This is no time to be gawking!" Corphish said. "I'll let everyone in the guild know! You two go on ahead!"
Then Corphish took off towards the base camp.
"All right! Let's move on, Luna" Jolt said. "Onward to Fogbound Lake!"
Luna nodded and they began to head towards the right.
"Hold it!" A familiar voice called, stopping them in their tracks.
Team Skull appeared and stood in front of the Groudon statue. Jolt became angry while Luna was annoyed.
"Y-you brutes?!" Jolt shouted.
"Good job! Chaw-haw-haw!" Skunktank said.
"Whoa-ho-ho! You solved the mystery" Koffing said. "You're no longer any use to us!"
"Heh-heh-heh. We'll swipe the treasure, thanks to you!" Zubat said.
Luna figured that was their reason for joining the expedition. She noticed that Jolt started having electricity spark from his cheeks in anger.
"You fiends!" Jolt shouted. "So that's why you joined the expedition! You planned this all along!"
"Whoa-ho-ho! You expected anything less?!" Koffing asked.
"Chaw-haw-haw! Sorry to say it, but...We'll have to get rid of you right here" Skunktank said.
Luna was getting more annoyed with their words as Jolt got more angry.
"We'll make you eat those words!" Jolt shouted. "We'll stop you from getting to Fogbound Lake!"
"Chaw-haw-haw! You've already forgotten our last showdown?" Skunktank mocked. "Let me remind you how you lost to Koffing and me...You were destroyed by our noxious gas special combo!"
Jolt gulped at that. Zubat flew out of the way.
"You're destined to fail again! Chaw-haw-haw!" Skunktank said. "Enough talking! Take this! Me and Koffing's noxious gas special com—"
"Waah! Wait! Wait for me!" A familiar voice yelled.
All of a sudden, a Perfect Apple rolled between the two teams.
"Wh-what?" Zubat asked, surprised.
"Perfect Apple! Perfect Apple!" That same voice called.
Wigglytuff appeared from the side and picked up the Perfect Apple.
"I finally caught you! My Perfect Apple!" Wigglytuff said cheerfully.
Luna smiled at his appearance.
"If my Perfect Apple went away, I would...I would" Wigglytuff said, gaining a sad look.
Then Wigglytuff noticed Luna and Jolt as well as Team Skull.
"Oh? Oh-oh? Oh, you two!" Wigglytuff said. "And my friends two! Everyone's all together! Yay, yay!"
Skunktank became nervous.
"G-Guildmaster...Wh-what are you doing here?" Skunktank asked.
Wigglytuff turned to face Team Skull.
"Huh? What am I doing here?" Wigglytuff asked. "I was taking a walk in the forest. Then my Perfect Apple went rolling and rolling away from me. So I ran and ran, and here I am."
Then Wigglytuff seemed to remember something.
"Oh, yes!" Wigglytuff said, turning to Jolt and Luna. "You two shouldn't be dawdling here, should you?"
"Huh?" Jolt asked, confused.
"You two have a job, don't you?" Wigglytuff said. "To explore the forest, right? Go on then, off you go."
Jolt became nervous.
"But…" Jolt said, not wanting to leave Wigglytuff alone with Team Skull.
"You don't want to listen to your Guildmaster? Boooo! Boooo!" Wigglytuff said. "Hurry, get exploring!"
Luna leaned over to Jolt.
"You don't need to worry about Wigglytuff, Jolt" Luna whispered. "I'm sure that he'll be able take care of those jerks if they try again."
Jolt nodded.
"Um...Ok" Jolt said. "Let's go, Luna."
Luna nodded and followed Jolt to where they were heading before.
"Good luck." Wigglytuff called after them. "Oh, I hope we get some good news soon! La la la la! La la la! La la! La la la! La la!"
Skunktank sweat dropped at that.
"Um. Guildmaster…" Skunktank started.
"Hm? What's the matter, friend?" Wigglytuff asked.
"We were thinking that we should explore as well…" Skunktank said.
Wigglytuff took a step back in shock before shaking his head.
"Oh?! That's all right! I can't trouble my friends like that!" Wigglytuff said. "We'll let those two do the exploring. Let's wait for their report."
Wigglytuff then turned back around.
"La la la! La la! La la la! La la!" Wigglytuff sang cheerfully.
Zubat then flew over to Skunktank.
"Chief, this is getting really weird" Zubat whispered.
"Team Starlight's going to beat us to the prize if we don't do something" Koffing whispered. "What'll we do?"
"We have to do something" Skunktank whispered. "We have no choice. We'll take down Wigglytuff right now. Then we'll chase down Team Starlight!"
"But do you think it'll be alright?" Zubat whispered.
"Wigglytuff is, like, creepy" Koffing whispered.
"Don't worry about it. He's no big deal" Skunktank whispered. "Besides...Rumor has it Wigglytuff has an unbelievably precious treasure."
That caught Zubat's attention.
"Oh, really? Treasure?" Zubat whispered.
"That's right" Skunktank whispered. "I was planning on mugging him for it anyway, so this is a good opportunity."
Skunktank then looked over at Koffing.
"Hey, Koffing. Prepare for the noxious gas special combo" Skunktank whispered.
Zubat flew off to the side while Koffing and Skunktank moved closer to Wigglytuff.
"La la la! La la! La la la! La la!" Wigglytuff sang.
"Wigglytuff is really going to get it!" Skunktank whispered. "No hard feelings...But the great, famous explorer Wigglytuff...Is finished! Chaw-haw-haw!"
