Hi everyone! I'm back from holiday! It felt like week there, but I was out for 3-4 days. I had a wonderful time at Alton Towers, I rode on the new ride - The Smiler and it is fantastic (Except that it broke down on my second day :( ) but except for that, I have the theme music stuck in my head and the area and themeing is fantastic if anyone hasn't been on it.

I can give you details on The Smiler if you want by PM messaging me, but for now, here's the newest chapter of Explorers of Mobius; I really wanted to get this for all of you, I pretty much have nothing to do, so please enjoy and review me!

Chapter 11 – Expedition Briefing

It has been a fast few minutes since Sonic and Tails were on Sharpedo Bluff; both Sonic and Tails thought it would be best to wait where the members gather for their morning announcements, instead of going back to their room and sleep for about 30 minutes. After for about 15 minutes, Chatot was one of the first to wake up; using of his wings, he was rubbing the sleep off of his eyes.

Chatot was quite surprised to see Sonic and Tails waiting for the morning briefing this early, as he said, "You two are up early, but where is your team mate, Knuckles?" Sonic answered, "He must still be sleeping in our room, me and Tails couldn't sleep, so that's why we're early".

Chatot smiled at them and replied, "Well, I hope your team is chosen in the list of applications; just wait here until everyone gets here". After a little while, everyone gathered around for the morning briefing; but instead of the morning greeting, Chatot was about to announce what everyone has been waiting for.

"Ahem, now then, I shall announce the expedition members at this time..." Chatot went close to Wigglytuff and added, "Guildmaster, the memo please". Chatot accepted the memo bearing the names of the expedition members from Wigglytuff; Chatot held the memo up in the air and announced, "The chosen members are written on this memo, step forward if your name is called".

The guild members were all saying to themselves on how excited they were, like Sunflora who said first, "Ooh... it's finally happening". Then Bidoof who added in, "My heart's a-pounding, by golly". Chatot then said whilst they were still chatting, "Without further ado, I will announce those who've been chosen..."

Everyone stopped chatting and all eyes were focused on Chatot now; Chatot read the memo and added in, "Our first member... Loudred!" Loudred jumped up with joy and said loudly, "Y-yes! IDID IT!" He then stepped forward beside Wigglytuff and added, "But if you really think about it, it's only NATURAL that I would get picked! WOO-HOOOO!" Mostly everyone sweat-dropped and Sunflora thought, 'Says you...' and Bidoof added in his thoughts, 'Big talker, yup yup'. And Chimecho added in his thoughts, 'Is he saying that he wasn't even nervous?'

Chatot announced the next member, "Next up is... Corphish!" Corphish's pincers were up in the air and cheered out, "Hey, hey, hey! Got it! I got picked! Hey, hey!" and Corphish added in, 'Whew, that's a relief...' Corphish clawed his way next to Wigglytuff and Loudred with a smile on his face.

Chatot announced the next member, "Next is... oh what's this?" Everyone had their eyes on Chatot with interest and Chatot added with surprise, "Well this is a surprise! Our next member is Bidoof!" Bidoof and Sonic's eyes widened in surprise and Bidoof was shocked to hear his name announced.

"Really?! Really and truly?! Golly... Me?! I'm going to the expedition?!" Bidoof was shaking his legs and he couldn't move; Chatot looked confused at Bidoof and asked, "Hm? Is anything the matter Bidoof? Come on, step forward". Bidoof looked unsure and answered, "Urf... I sure want to step up, I truly do, but... I'm feeling a might overwhelmed here. My legs aren't moving..."

Chatot looked unsure and said, "So be it, we'll ignore it and move on". Chatot read more of the memo and announced, "Next we have Sunflora and Chimecho!" They looked at each other and Chimecho said, "Oh? Us too?" and Sunflora added, "Eeek! Oh my gosh!" They both walked up next to Loudred and Corphish and Chatot had more to announce.

"Erm, yes... and there we have the expedition members!" Sonic looked unsure at Tails thinking, 'Is that it? Are we not going?' But luckily for Team Mobius, Chatot sounded like he had more to say. "So that's it for the expedition members...erm... what's this?" Chatot squinted his eyes at the memo and thought, 'There's something scribbled on the margins of this memo... the Guildmaster's writing is such a messy scrawl...this is so hard to decipher...Erk! If I said that aloud, the consequences wouldn't be pretty; best to keep a stiff upper beak and swallow those words'.

Chatot looked around at everyone, then looked back at the memo. "Erm... it appears that there are more expedition members; the others are... Diglett, Dugtrio and Croagunk. Oh and Sonic, Tails and Knuckles". Everyone including all of Team Mobius eyes were widened in surprise; Sonic couldn't keep up with his excitement and he fist pumped in the air and cheered out, "Yeah! We're in!"

Chatot looked to see who was left but, he was shocked to find out the results. "That is all. Wait a second! What?! What?! Whaaaat?! Guildmaster! This list seems to include... every member of the guild!" Wigglytuff answered with a smile, "Yup! That's right!" Chatot asked next to the Guildmaster in a panicked tone, "Well then, it seems that the whole selection process was meaningless; moreover, if we were to all go, we would be leaving the guild empty! Are you sure it will be all right to leave with no one to look after the guild?"

Wigglytuff answered with a smile, "It'll be fine, we'll lock up properly; so that's how it is everyone! We're all going on the expedition and it will be fun, fun, fun! Let's all do our best!" Everyone cheered "HOORAY!" like they do during their morning announcements. Chatot looked around and added in, "Urrgh... Well, that's settled. Fine, let me explain the schedule; right after this, I will hold a briefing on the expedition. As such, the chosen members that is everyone... each of you should get prepared to embark on the expedition; when you are prepared for the upcoming journey, you should return here. Then, inform me of your readiness; that is all dismissed!"

Everyone except Chatot gathered around in a circle; Sunflora was the first to speak up. "I could scream, I'm so happy! Everyone is going to the expedition!" Chimecho added with a smile, "Our Guildmaster has done it again, I'm so shocked, I'm tingling!" Sonic smiled and said, "I knew we can do it, me, Tails and Knuckles are the best!" Corphish added in, "Hey, hey!" Bidoof was still shaking and he said, "Sniff... by golly, I'm mighty happy that they're even letting me go on this here expedition...oh, but not just me! Why, everyone gets to go... sniff... it's like I'm dreaming... it's making me feel mighty emotional... sob..."

Bidoof was getting highly emotional and Dugtrio added in, "It's no dream, this is really happening; anyway, since we are all going, it means that we're all going to be put to the test as well. That's why I would like to propose that all of us apprentices work as one and let's make this expedition a success!". Sunflora said with a big smile on her face, "Yippee! That's the spirit!" Loudred jumped and added, "Yeah! THAT'S the spirit!" Chimecho added, "Let's do our best!" Tails added with a big smile, "Let us all band together and do this!"

Everyone cheered with a big 'HOORAY!' and had their arms or front left legs up in the air; after that, everyone all went to Treasure Town to get ready. Knuckles decided that he wanted to hang out in Spinda's Cafe, while Sonic and Tails sort out their items and store the team's money; once they were all sorted, they called Knuckles to come back to the Guild for the next part of the briefing.

Once everyone was ready and they were gathered around once more, Chatot spoke. "All accounted for it appears, well then, let me explain the expedition. First, the objective: Exploration of Fogbound Lake". Knuckles questioned, "Fogbound Lake?" Chatot explained to everyone, "Correct, it is a lake that is said to be located far to the east; however, it is perpetually enshrouded by a dense fog. As such, its actual existence has never been confirmed...it is merely the foggy mirage of a spot that lives to this day on rumor alone; it is also rumored... a treasure of exquisite beauty is hidden there!"

Tails had his eyes widened and asked, "Wow! Treasure?! We're going on a treasure hunt! This is so exciting!" Wigglytuff added with a smile, "Yup! It will be fun, fun, fun!" Chatot replied, "Everyone, open your wonder maps, please". Like Chatot asked, everyone got their maps out and Chatot explained, "First of... this is where Fogbound Lake is said to be". Chatot pointed to an area near a forest that fog shown on it. "As an uncharted territory, the area is shown under a cloud cover".

Then Chatot pointed to the location on where they were now; it has three tents shown next to a pointed cliff pointing west. "Our guild is here, as you can see, the lake is at a considerable distance from the guild". Chatot lastly pointed to an area of trees that had the fog shown on it. "Therefore, we will encamp at the foot of the highlands here, that will serve as our base camp; if we were to travel all at once in a single group to the base camp, our mobility would be restricted. The strategy is to split up into several groups to travel to the base camp".

Everyone uncurled their maps and Chatot added in, "I shall announce those groups now, the first group is Sunflora, Loudred and Croagunk". Those three members looked at each other and nodded to each other; Chatot announced the next group, "The next group is Dugtrio, Chimecho and Corphish". Dugtrio said to Chimecho and Corphish, "We're a solid group!" Chatot was a little unsure but he added, "Erm... let's see... the Guildmaster and I shall travel as a pair... that is acceptable, yes?"

Wigglytuff looked a bit sad and replied, "Awwwww?! I have to go with Chatot?! That's so boooooring!" Chatot said to him, "Please don't be difficult, this is a key element of our strategy". Wigglytuff was silent for a while, but he muttered, "Meanie". Chatot then announced, "And the final group is Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Bidoof". Bidoof turned to Team Mobius and jumped with joy, saying, "We're in the same group! I hope I can keep up! Yup yup!" Tails smiled and added in, "Same here Bidoof!"

Chatot smiled and replied, "Well then... everyone, let's get to it and move out!" Everyone cheered like they do in their morning routine, yelling 'Hooray!' in high spirits and except for Diglett and Dugtrio who dig their way out, climbed up the ladder to the entrance of the Guild.

And thus, the Guild's expedition party began making it's way to Fogbound Lake; according to plan, the party was split into the designated groups and Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Bidoof's group plotted its course. The group settled on a route along the seacoast to reach the base camp.

I hope this was okay for everyone, I didn't want to make it too boring for you, but trust me, next chapter will be even better, since I won't use the same script from the game, the next time will be in the top of my head.

By the way, there's a lot of activity going on, on my Deviantart Page if anyone's interested. Please have a look there as well as here.

See you soon and lastly... Smile. Always.

BlueYusei :D

Advocate from the Ministry of Joy :)