Author's Note: Well, the Internet is still out, and I had to upload the last part in McDonald's, so I am at a bit of a complicated situation, but when the Internet does come back, then I'll try to update at least once a week. Anyways, this chapter doesn't focus completely on Carlos and the group... At least in the middle. Enjoy this chapter!
Everyone sighed in relief as soon as they were safely in the guild.
"Man, that was tough," Carlos said. "Thank goodness it's over."
"I agree," Dusty said. "Say, what was in that chest you took from Coal, Carlos?" he asked. Carlos shrugged. "I don't know. Let me check," he said as he took out the small chest and opened it. When he looked inside, he groaned. "Oh, the irony of it all," he said, pulling out a purple ribbon and an orange ribbon. "Two detect bands," Carlos said flatly.
"So, they must've gotton the detect bands in order to corner us," Hazel said.
"Well, if they planned on beating us, that clearly didn't work out so well for them," Katty remarked. Everyone laughed at that comment. Carlos handed the orange band to Anubis, who tied it around his neck. He then handed the other one. "Give this one to Vixi."
Anubis looked confused. "Why are you giving me these? You found them," he said. "Our mission was to help you find a detect band. It makes you happy, so I'm doing it. That's what being on an exploration team is all about," Carlos explained.
Anubis thought about what Carlos said for a moment. "Hmm. Maybe I could join a team in order to make Vixi happy." Then he looked at Carlos. "Okay, if that's true, then I want in!"
Now Carlos looked confused. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"I want to join Team Destiny!" Anubis replied, which made everyone gasp. Vixi walked over to him. "Anubis... Why do you want to join them?" Anubis turned to look at Vixi. "It's like what Carlos told me. I want to make others happy... Like you," he replied.
Vixi blushed slightly. "In that case... Count me in, too!" she said enthusiastically.
Carlos thought for a moment. "They did prove that they could handle themselves... And the detect bands would protect them..." He looked at the two ten year-olds. He reached into his treasure bag and pulled out two badges and gave one to each of them. "Welcome to the team, guys!"
"Wow, thanks! We won't disappoint you," Anubis and Vixi stated in unison. "And I promise to be a little mature," Anubis added.
A bell was heard throughout the guild. "Dinner's ready!" Chimecho called.
"FOOD!" Anubis shrieked as he ran down the steps and to the mess hall. Everyone else groaned as they soon followed.
"Eek! You are the cutest things ever!" Sunflora exclaimed as she looked at Anubis and Vixi, who looked slightly uncomfortable.
Carlos chuckled lightly. "These are our two newest members," he stated. "Wow. You sure know how to make friends, Carlos," Sunflora replied.
From a distance, Wigglytuff and Chatot were watching Carlos.
"Wow, Carlos really knows how to make friends," Wigglytuff said. He looked at Chatot. "Is it possible that Carlos is... Special?"
"Well, Guildmaster, he is a shiny pokémon. Also, he really knows how to put up a good fight. Who wouldn't want to be his friend?" Chatot replied. Wigglytuff just kept thinking. "Dinner's over! Time to go to sleep!" he heard Chimecho say as everyone went to their rooms. "Oh, I guess I should sleep on it," the Guildmaster thought. He went to his own room, sat on his throne and drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile, in a faraway place hidden underground, Celebi was seen meditating. She opened her eyes and shook her head lightly. "This isn't good. I'd better go tell Diancie," she said flying to another room, where she found Diancie reading an ancient book of evolutions.
"Diancie, we need to talk. It's about the Chosen One," Celebi said. Diancie sighed and closed her book before floating over to Celebi. "Celebi, please. His name is Carlos, why can't you just call him that?"
"Because, not referring to him as the Chosen One is a disgrace to formality," Celebi stated indignantly.
Diancie sighed again. "Seriously? Who did you hear that from?"
"From you," Celebi replied bluntly.
"Oh," Diancie said sheepishly. "Well, forget it. Carlos is a very eloquent name." Celebi groaned. "I guess I'll give it a try." Diancie smiled. "Thank you. Now, what did you want to tell me about Carlos?"
"Well, the thing is... He seems to be losing track of his destiny. He's spending too much time exploring," Celebi explained to the now-shocked Diancie. "I don't get it. I spoke to him in a dream in order to tell him of his important purpose... Where did I go wrong?" Diancie said, sitting down. Celebi sat down next to her. "You didn't go wrong. To you, it was a message, but to Carlos, it must have been a weird dream."
"Hmm... You might be right about that... So we need to take a different approach," Diancie said. "I don't understand why we can't just visit the guild and tell him the truth?" Celebi wondered aloud.
"We can't just tell him! We need to know that he is ready and willing to fulfill his destiny!" Diancie shouted, making Celebi wince. Diancie sighed and closed her eyes. "I-I'm sorry. I'm just completely on edge."
"Don't worry, I know the feeling," Celebi said. "So what should we do?"
"Let's see..." Diancie began, "we need a way for him to know about this, but we have to take it slow so he won't freak out or go into disbelief." Suddenly, she knew the answer. "Of course! The answer's so simple!"
"What? What is it?" Celebi asked excitedly.
"I'll tell you later, but for now, I've got an old friend to visit," Diancie said as she disappeared.
At the top of a cave lay a secluded lake, which hid away one of the world's most valuable artifacts: a time gear, whose glow made the lake shimmer a sea green color. On the shore, there was a pokémon. It was approximately the size of Celebi, had a yellow and gray face with its eyes closed and a yellow crest like head, along with a red jewel encrusted on its forehead. It had two gray tails, which were also encrusted with red jewels. This was the legendary pokémon Uxie: the guardian of the lake.
Uxie heard some sort of noise behind him and turned around with his fists clenched. "Who's there!? Show yourself!" Uxie demanded. However, the only thing he saw was Diancie, which calmed him down a bit.
Diancie chuckled lightly. "Uxie, you need to calm down. Darkrai is defeated, so there's no need to be on guard 24/7." Uxie rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry, but this 'new evil' ordeal has me all worked up, and I don't want to take any chances," he said. "So, what brings you here, Diancie?"
"Well, it involves... Him," Diancie replied. Uxie nodded. "I understand. So, what do I need to do?" Diancie leaned in closer and whispered her plan to Uxie.
"So I should wait until midnight to do it?" Uxie asked. Diancie nodded. "That would probably be the best time."
"I understand. I'll see you later," Uxie said as Diancie opened another portal and disappearing. Uxie sat down and concentrated on something that would set Diancie's plan in motion.
"Chatot, I'm telling you, it's true!" Wigglytuff exclaimed as he and Chatot headed to the the Guildmaster's quarters. Chatot sighed and turned to face Wigglytuff once the door was closed. "Guildmaster - with all due respect, this whole rumor going on about "approaching evil" isn't real. It's likely something that a crazy pokémon made up," he said.
"But Chatot, don't you believe in it at least a little bit?" Wigglytuff asked as he,prepared his throne. "Sorry, Guildmaster, but I only deal with the facts," Chatot replied as he perched onto his... Parrot sleeping thing. "Good night," he added before falling asleep.
Wigglytuff sighed. "There's just no changing his mind. Oh well, he's probably right," he thought before falling asleep himself.
Wigglytuff awoke, surrounded by colors. "Hmm... What is this place?" he wondered. He turned around and was relieved to see a familiar face.
"It's good to see you again Wigglytuff," Uxie said. Wigglytuff jumped in joy. "Oh, boy! It's my friendly friend Uxie! It's great to see you too, friend!"
Uxie gave him a small smile. "I can still remember the time your guild helped with the whole Time Gear fiasco. Those were some good times..." Then he put on a serious face. "But that's not why I'm here. I had to talk to you in private, so I came up in your dream."
"In private? Is there something wrong, friend?" Wigglytuff asked worriedly. Uxie put his head down in depression. "I'm afraid so. Are you aware of the new evil approaching us?"
"Of course! Chatot doesn't believe me, but I knew it!" Wigglytuff exclaimed. "Well, in order to discuss this issue in more detail, I need to ask a favor of you," Uxie told him. "Anything for a friend," Wigglytuff said with a hearty smile, "so what do you need?" Uxie whispered his plan to Wigglytuff, who smiled at the idea. "Wow! That's a great idea!" Wigglytuff said happily. "Yes, but don't tell your apprentices too much, or it could get complicated," Uxie explained.
"Don't worry, friend. My lips are sealed," Wigglytuff replied. "Thank you. Goodbye," Uxie said before Wigglytuff was surrounded by a flash of light.
Carloswas sleeping peacefully until he felt a very uncomfortable sensation on his ear. "Gah!" he yelled as he got up hastily, looking for the source that made him uncomfortable.
The only other pokémon he saw was Darkfang.
"You! Did-Did you just give me a wet willie!?" Carlos yelled at him. The sight of Darkfang laughing on the floor told him everything he needed to know. "You shoulda seen the look on your face! Ha ha!" Darkfang exclaimed gleefully.
"I am seriously getting annoyed with you and Darkfang's 'arguments'," Katty groaned as she and the others got up.
"How often is this gonna happen?" Anubis yawned.
"Knowing the friendship that Carlos and Darkfang share," Dusty told him, "this is probably how we'll wake up every day."
"Oh dear," Vixi whispered in fear of that outcome.
"Come on, let's go before Loudred gets here again," Carlos said.
"Wait, who's Loudred?" Vixi asked.
"He is way louder than what you heard today," Carlos replied, leading his team down the hall.
When they made it to the main room, they were situated next to Loudred. "Hey, you guys are doing great with waking up. I'm impressed," he told Carlos. "Gee... Thanks," Carlos replied. Soon, Wigglytuff and Chatot came out of their room. After everyone recited the cheers, Wigglytuff stopped them from leaving.
"Friends! I have an announcement to make," he said, which surprised everyone. Even Chatot looked shocked.
"Due to some... Recent events, I decided that we should all do something fun," Wigglytuff stated.
"And what would that be, Guildmaster?" Chatot asked, clearly unaware.
"We're going on an expedition!" Wigglytuff exclaimed.
Author's Note: I'm not sure if this is a very good cliffhanger, but I kind of thought that this was an appropriate time to stop. Sorry about the short chapter, though. I'll try to make the next one normal-sized. See you all then!