The morning had come. When Pyro and Layne arrived in the main room, Layne noticed that the Guildmaster was not in the room where he usually was.

"Where's Wigglytuff?" he asked.

Chatot said, "He has not yet returned from his errand from last night."

"Is he okay?" Layne asked.

"He's fine." Chatot reassured. "He is very much capable of taking care of himself."

Pyro then asked, "Then what's our plan for today?"

Chatot nodded, and said, "We will set off for Brine Cave, as originally scheduled."

"Hey, hey!" Corphish said. "Where'd the Guildmaster go anyway?"

Everyone looked to Chatot who simply looked a bit embarrassed. "I...don't know that..."

"Will it be OKAY to go on without him?" Loudred asked.

"There will be no problem!" Chatot said cheerful again. "There's no need for your concern. It is very possible that the Guildmaster decided that we can manage on our own without him for the time being. And besides, in the absence of our Guildmaster...You have me to lead you!"

"Yippee..." Autumn mumbled to Layne, who simply snorted in held laughter.

There was then silence in the guild for about 30 seconds. Chatot saw this and asked, "Why isn't anyone saying anything?" Then he got an idea. "You can't be thinking I'm not up to this task? Am I inadequate? Worthless in your sight?"

The guild members looked at each other with different looks.

Bidoof managed to say, "Uhh...nope. I wouldn't say that, by golly."

Chimeco added in, "I will say however, that when the Guildmaster isn't here, it just feels less safe..."

Corphish agreed there. "Hey, hey! I know he's hard to figure out and all, but hey, hey! He really comes through when things get rough."

"Ain't that the truth." Layne said, popping his neck. He still wasn't too thrilled that Chatot would be escorting them through Brine Cave.

Sunflora spoke, "But he's not with us right now, so we must take charge and do as he wanted!"

"Right!" Pyro said. "I'm sure we can get the job done on our own!"

"Taking charge again, Pyro!" Autumn said. "Just like the expedition!"

Loudred also said, "Pyro's right! We cannot depend on our Guildmaster for EVERYTHING!"

Autumn said, "Then let's all do our best!"

Chimeco turned to Chatot. "The Guildmaster is absent. That means there's only one among us who can lead. That's you, Chatot."

Chatot looked a bit absent minded, "Wh-who, me?"

"Isn't that what you said earlier?" Layne asked.

Chimeco nodded. "You said we'll all be fine because you're here to lead us. So lead the way, and show us, Chatot!"

The Guild began to show immense support for Chatot and his new position of leadership, which obviously affected Chatot in a way to make him turn around, and act as if he had a sudden stomachache.

"Chatot?" Layne asked.

Chatot ignored him. "W-w-well...e-e-everyone. You can always count on me when th-things go out of c-control..."

Loudred heard this stuttering and said, "Chatot! We're all waiting for yoU!"

Layne popped his neck and said, "Get on with your cheer already!"

"I know, I know!" Chatot said. "One, two, one, tow, three!"

As usual, the Guild raised their fists in the air, and chanted as one. "One! Don't shirk work! Two! Run away and pay! Three! Smiles go for miles!"

"Right!" Chatot said. "Starting now, we will depart on the guild exploration of Brine Cave! Everyone! Excel together!"

The usual cheer then erupted from within the guild walls. Everything was getting tense. This was where it mattered. They could not fail here. Layne had to finish what he had begun, and this was an important first step to finally accomplishing everything he and Grovyle had at first set off to do. Layne of course could not deny, he was thankful to have so much help behind him, right now...

Brine Cave was right beside the ocean. The journey there had taken at least three hours from the Guild. Upon arriving outside the cave, Chatot addressed the Guild. "Attention, everyone! This is as you can see, the entrance to Brine Cave. We have an objective to locate this pattern that we see on Pyro's Relic Fragment. However, be wary. If any vicious pokémon lurk here, still, then it may treat us, as it once treated...Wigglytuff and I."

Layne knew there was much more to it than that, but before he could say anything, Corphish said, "Hey, hey! Chatot, yesterday the guildmaster said something about that vicious pokémon. Yet you seem to know just as much about this place, don't you?"

Chimeco asked, "You've been here, haven't you..."

"As I just said..." Chatot said, "Yes. I have been here before. A long time ago, the Guildmaster and I explored this place. We found the pattern deep in the cave. However, it was then that those tough pokémon appeared."

Layne was confused. "earlier we were told there was just one bandit. Now you seem to say there could be more...care to explain?"

Chatot looked a bit sad. "To be honest, I don't recall all that happened to well."

"You can't be serious..." Layne said. And the guild erupted into chatter. Did Chatot remember this experience? It reminded Layne somewhat of his own amnesia, but...this was crucial, right now!

Chatot held up a wing and said, "I loathe to admit how I don't remember, but yes...I can't remember much about the exploration the Guildmaster and I went on. What I do remember...is that they attacked with no warning...out of nowhere. I barely remember getting hit... Next thing I knew, Guildmaster Wigglytuff was tending to my wounds. I knew nothing of what had happened prior to that."

Dugtrio was a bit worried, "That gives us nothing to go on."

Sunflora then said, "Well if we don't know what enemy we're gonna be facing, or how many there are...we must proceed slowly and cautiously."

Chatot said, "Then we should make several groups to explore this cave. We don't know what we're in for, so we must be very wary. If anyone comes across anything, do what you can to regroup with everyone. Understand?"

Bidoof nodded, "This seems like a good idea."

Chatot spoke up, "According to Wigglytuff, Pyro and Layne are to travel with me. This is not negotiable."

"As you say." Layne said, though he still wasn't too thrilled about it.

Chatot then said, "Dugtrio, you, Diglett, and Chimeco will be one group. The second group will consist of Croagunk, and Corphish. Loudred will travel with Sunflora, and Autumn, you will be with Bidoof. Do you all understand?"

The guild acknowledged with a nod and a "Yes, Chatot."

Chatot then said, "Then let's tackle Brine Cave with everything we've got."

Once more the guild gave out a cheer, though Layne wasn't so sure that was wise. If vicious pokémon lived here...would they hear them?

Walking through Brine Cave, was rather...fearful and nerve-wracking. The cave certainly fit a runaway bandit home. The cave was dark, gloomy, water dripped everywhere, and there were rooms in which only ended with water coming from the ocean. Layne and Pyro, under the guidance of Chatot however, held their heads high through the exploration.

"Dark place." Layne said.

Pyro looked to Chatot. "Is any of this familiar? Are we getting close?"

"We're almost there." Chatot said. "The pattern will be visible soon, hopefully. Perhaps the vicious pokémon have left."

Layne wasn't listening. As Chatot and Pyro talked, he could have swore he heard faint laughter, and a rock rattle against the cavern all. Someone was following them.

"I'm not too sure they have." Layne said turning back to the group.

"What makes you say that?" Pyro asked.

"I think we're being...do you smell something?"

It was then that three pokémon charged Layne and went right for Pyro! They charged, and one pokémon bashed right into Pyro, knocking the wind out of him. Layne went to Pyro's side, and looked up...and did not believe who he saw.

"I don't believe it. You three again?"

Team Skull stood there. Skuntank, Koffing and Zubat, all laughing smugly. "Long time, no see, weasel." Koffing said.

Chatot was surprised himself. "Oh! It's you! That team that helped us...that...nice team?"

"Nice...?" Skuntank asked. "I guess you've been worried about us. Your guild is full of gullible nincompoops just waiting to be fleeced."

"You...your demeanor and language seems much coarser than when we last saw you!" Chatot said.

Layne slapped his face in frustration. "Chatot! Do you still not get it? This team from the start has just been wanting to screw with us and the guild!"

"Is this true?" Chatot asked in surprise.

"Truth hurts." Zubat said. "You're really naive."

"Whatever. Yes." Layne said. "They're a bunch of wannabe punks whose names are all written on my fists. Though why they are here...I have no clue."

"We got a tip off." Skuntank said. "I recall a rather interesting story yesterday. We were just passing by the Guild, and who should appear, but Torkoal, Treasure Town's Elder."

"Oh my God..." Layne said. "If you've hurt him I will-"

"Easy, weasel." Skuntank said. "He's fine. He actually cooperated with us rather well. He told us of the Guild's interest in finding what he only called..the Hidden Land. He also spoke of a certain...fragment. A fragment that apparently, my two grunts at one point picked off from you."

Layne looked to Pyro, who was frantically searching for his Fragment. "Wh-where is it?"

"Is this it?" Skuntank asked, holding his fragment in his paw.

Koffing laughed. "Ah, sweet memories. This is the second time we've mugged you for this!"

"Now, wait just a second!" Chatot said. "What's going on here?"

"You've gone too far, now, Team Skull." Layne said. "Your screwing around with us in Apple Forest, I've let go. You're screwing around with Azurill and Marrill, really dug into my skin, but this takes the cake. All of you are going down, right now."

"Wanna bet?" Skuntank said. "We have your Relic Fragment. Now all that's left for us, is to trash you, and get to the Hidden Land ourselves!"

"You're making a big mistake!" Chatot said.

Pyro said, "You don't understand! We need to get to the Hidden Land to-"

"Enough!" Skuntank said. "Take this!"

As before, Koffing and Skuntank unleashed their noxious gas combo. However, Layne and Pyro were ready, and grabbed Chatot and took cover. Team Skull under this gas, left without another word.

Layne punched the sand. "I swear to God...their hides are mine!"

Chatot however flew up and fluttered so hard that the gas drifted away. He squawked angrily. "Those scoundrels! Play me for a fool, will they?"

Layne had never seen Chatot this angry before, and he just sat down and watched. This was...amusing to say for himself.

Chatot once again fluttered. "They will not get away with this! Not on my wing! I will show them what it means to trifle with me!"

"Awesome!" Layne said, standing up with Pyro, "So let's go after them and-"

Chatot however flew on ahead, in chase of Team Skull. "Or...just leave us behind."

"Chatot, wait!" Pyro exclaimed.

"Never seen him so angry before..." Layne said popping his neck.

"I hope he's okay, we have to go after him, Layne!"

Layne nodded, and said, "I'd rather not have to report to the Guildmaster why we couldn't...find his right hand pokémon. Let's go."

Layne and Pyro began to give chase to Team Skull. Layne was almost as mad as Chatot. Team Skull had just robbed Pyro a second time of what was indeed a valuable treasure. The thought of that, angered Layne so much, that he would channel his anger into them, the next time he saw them.

"They like repeating history?" Layne thought to himself, "Then I'll give them a history lesson they'll never forget..."

About 15 minutes later, Layne and Pyro were still running through the cave. They finally slowed down. There wasn't a sign of Team Skull or Chatot, and needless to say, it frustrated Layne.

"It's horribly hot and humid in here..." Pyro said.

Layne then felt it. "Yeah...you're right. Something's not comforting about this place."

They then heard a grunt. Layne and Pyro looked at each other and went to the area of where the grunt was, and who would they find...but Team Skull, beat, bruised and battered all on the ground.

Layne crossed his arms. "Be thankful whatever got you first wasn't me."

"Layne, this is serious! They've been hurt!"

"Yeah? And what's to say they don't deserve it?"

"Layne! Think! Do you seriously think Chatot did this?"

Layne then remembered the vicious pokémon they were all dwelling on. he and Pyro backed into each other. If they were in here...they'd be ready...

Layne looked down to Koffing. "Start talking. "You suddenly get attacked by a group of vicious pokémon?"

Koffing coughed and said, "You mean you knew about them? Woulda been good to have known about them..."

"Not like they'd tell us anyway..." Zubat said.

Pyro gave Layne a look, and Layne simply sighed in frustration. "Are you all okay enough to stand up at least?"

Skuntank laughed. "Here we are, completely at your mercy, and you have the nerve to ask us if we're okay? How generous can you nitwits get?"

"You're lucky my partner takes this as seriously as he does. If it were my choice, I'd leave you all for dead. But...as an explorer, I know I can't do that." Layne said, popping his neck.

"We'll be fine. That Chatot...he riled me up enough to keep me going."

"Chatot did...what?" Pyro asked.

"He found us after we got wiped out by whatever it was..." Skuntank said, "Then he simply just scolded us with all these big words of choice. What a weirdo..." he said laughing. "Then...he just went on his way."

"That's Chatot for you..." Layne said crossing his arms.

Skuntank just said, "I'm so steaming mad about that...that I refuse to give up here! I will give him what is coming to him!"

"Be thankful, you were probably close to giving up when he found you in the first place!"

"Layne, seriously." Pyro said.

Skuntank looked at Pyro. "We've screwed with you all this time. I mean your team went through downright rotten times because of us. So why can you even bring yourself to think to worry about us?"

Layne looked to Pyro. "And then repeated, as we said earlier, we're not going to just walk away from a team that has clearly been defeated so easily. Now..."

"I can;t find it anywhere!" Chatot said flying in.

"Chatot?" Layne asked.

"So you've found them." Chatot said. "Sorry to leave you behind as I did, Hydro Pyro."

Layne then approached a wall, just to sit on a nearby boulder, but when he looked and thought he saw a mouth off in the distance. A mouth of a cave, and the sun was setting on what looked like...he simply said..."Not at all, Chatot...I think you both should come see this."

They both came over to see what he was looking at. "Is that perhaps..."

It was then that another sound was heard.

Skuntank laughed..."They're back..."

Chatot, Layne, and Pyro all bunched together to make sure they wouldn't be surprised...however nothing was seen around them.

"Where are they?" Layne asked.

Chatot looked like he was dreading something.

"I see only rock walls around us, Layne!" Pyro said.

"Perhaps they're camouflaged into the wall?" Layne asked.

"They appeared out of nowhere last time!" Chatot said. "But...that's impossible. If they're not around us..."

Chatot looked up. "Goodness! Layne, Pyro! Watch out!"

Chatot sped for Pyro and Layne and pushed them away, as something heavy fell from the ceiling. Layne looked back. Behind him and Pyro were two giant snail-like pokémon that resembled creatures from an age before man on earth. There, in between them, was a brown pokémon, with scythes for arms. One of those scythes, was now penetrating, Chatot's small body...

Layne looked at Chatot. Blood began to flow around his body. "Ch-Chatot?" he asked.

Chatot said nothing. Layne clenched his fists. "You will regret even touching him!"

"Be careful, Layne!" Pyro said approaching his side.

Layne simply said, "We won't go down easy. We have a mission to complete. And these pokémon are just another obstacle. Let's take care of them, and finish what we came to finish!"

As Layne said that, the brown pokémon charged Layne. Layne shouted and jumped, using Iron Tail against he pokémon's body. Pyro enveloped the two snail-like pokémon n a Fire Spin, but they did not seem too much affected by it. It was obvious they were water pokémon. They attacked Pyro with a strong Water Gun...if one could call it that. It was as if they just went into their shell, and the entire entrance splurged forth with water. Pyro managed to avoid it, but as Layne landed, from using Iron Tail, he was hit hard with it, and pushed against the wall.

"That's one hell of a Water Gun."

"Actually..." Pyro said, "I think that was a Hydro Pump."

"Well..." Layne said. "Still, one hell of an attack."

"Layne!" Pyro said coming over as the three came to them. "We're obviously outnumbered here. Got any plans?"

Layne looked around. "These guys don't mind water...and they're using water attacks...I don't know how well I'll fit in here. "i'd say let's focus on those...snail pokémon first before taking on big and ugly here!"

Pyro nodded and said, "I'll run interference! Hit them from behind!"

Layne nodded. This was a new strategy they had been working on now, and as Pyro ran the snail pokémon followed. The Brown Pokémon focused on Layne. It charged. Layne then jumped and jumped into the ground as the pokémon's scythes hit the cavern wall, and went right into the wall, immobilizing the pokémon...for now. Layne resurfaced to see Pyro in action. He was running swiftly, dodging water attacks left and right, however he then got some ground to shoot an attack Layne had not seen him use before. And it engulfed both the snail pokémon in flame. "Pyro!" Layne cried in joy. "Good on you!"

Pyro closed his mouth. "Layne! I think I've finally learned how to use Flamethrower!"

Both Snail pokémon were shocked at the attack, and Layne came in and threw a big Water Pulse orb at them. The two were hit dead on. Their eyes then glazed in a light purple color, and with shrieking and squirming, the began to thrash about, and even hit each other. Layne looked at this madness and simply asked, "Uhhh...what's going on?"

"Layne! You confused them with that Water Pulse attack!"

"Confused them?" Layne asked. "Guess that's a plus..."

The two snail pokémon...were down for the cont. The brown scythe pokémon however, was not. He finally managed to free his scythes from the cave wall with a furious roar. Layne and Pyro turned to face him.

Pyro smiled and said, "Let's turn up the heat."

"Go for it." Layne said with a smile in his friends new power.

Pyro took a deep breath and let loose a powerful Flamethrower attack. However the brown pokémon did not look scathed that much by it. "Oh dear..." Layne said as he charged forward yet again. Pyro was hit hard, but was okay , when Layne looked over.

"Any idea on how to hit him?" Pyro asked.

Layne thought fast as the pokémon closed in again. Then an idea hit him. Why not try to attack from...under the ground?

Layne once again jumped up and used Dig. The pokémon missed Layne barely, and as he turned around to get a glimpse of where Layne would resurface again, Layne burst up from behind. Layne shouted in a fury. He saw Chatot's broken body, and Pyro off to the side. He would not let this pokémon hurt his friend anymore! Water began to form all around him. He wasn't too sure of what was happening, but he took a breath, and the water enveloped him as he soared into the air.

Pyro saw this and smiled, "Layne! That's Aqua Jet!"

"It is?" Layne thought to himself. "Then let's improvise..."

Layne rose high and as he formed the water for Aqua Jet, he also charged up a Water Pulse. He wasn't sure this would work, but it was worth a shot. Hopefully this water Pulse would combine with the Aqua Jet and act like one hell of a torpedo against that brown scythed pokémon.

He formed the Water Pulse, and aimed it in front of him. He then enveloped the Water Pulse and himself with Aqua Jet's water and shot forward. Pyro braced himself for Layne's impact, and as soon as it came, There was a collision unlike anything Layne or Pyro had ever experienced. Layne was okay, but upon reaching the ground, was very weak. He breathed in and out. There was a lot of mist in the air, and it obscured his vision of the scythed pokémon. But upon it's clearing, he saw the pokémon...still standing.

"Oh come on!" Layne said. He didn't have anymore energy left in him to fight...

But the scythed pokémon...groaned. And it fell to the ground with a crash.

Layne then sat down. "Man...that was exhausting."

Pyro ran over. "Layne...I've said it once, and I'll say it again! That was amazing!"

Layne breathed, smiled at his partner and said, "You didn't do too bad yourself, you know that?"

They then heard Skuntank groan. Team Skull had just witnessed that whole fight.

"You're stronger than I thought weasel..." Skuntank said.

Layne managed to stand and walk over. He had forgotten that Team Skull was still with them. And they still had Pyro's Relic Fragment. Layne walked over calm, but with a serious look on his face. He and Skuntank locked eyes and said nothing for 30 seconds.

"You want this, don't you?" Skuntank said, showing the Fragment.

Layne knelt down and said, "Please...we need that."

Skuntank chuckled and said, "If you don't mind me asking, why do you need this?"

Layne simply said, "The world as you know it, could be in danger. I hope you understand, but the answer to stopping disaster, lies in the Hidden Land. And we need that clue that you stole...to help us find the Hidden Land."

Skuntank said nothing at first, but handed the Fragment to Layne. "You're all right, weasel. So is your wimp friend."

Pyro didn't say anything as he came over and retrieved his fragment. He did say, "Skuntank...thanks."

"Thanks nothing." Skuntank said. "Once we're feeling like our usual selves again, we'll just go back to our old ways, of screwing around with the both of you."

Layne helped Skuntank up and said, "Well, until then, why don't you get out of this cave? We'll be seeing you."

"Yes...you will..." Skuntank said, and he, along with Koffing and Zubat walked off, talking amongst themselves.

Layne smiled to Pyro. "Well, we got your fragment back...a second time. And we beat the bandit pokémon. Not a bad day."

"What about..."

"Oh God...Chatot..."

Layne and Pyro, though battered and sore ran to the body of Chatot. Layne rolled him over. Chatot had been stabbed near the right shoulder. "Come on, Chatot...speak to us..." Layne said with a rising voice.

Chatot coughed up some blood, but said nothing.

Pyro shouted, through some tears, "Please! Chatot! Stay with us!"

Layne wasn't sure how to take this. Chatot wasn't stabbed in a vital organ, but he was losing blood, and Layne didn't have equipment as to prevent such blood loss. He had saved their lives...and yet...Layne had always thought so dimly of him. He and Chatot had always feuded, and now...

"Chatot!" Wigglytuff voice called out.

Layne and Pyro looked over, to see Wigglytuff running forward...not alone! Grovyle was running alongside him!

"Wigglytuff?" Pyro asked in shock.

"Grovyle?" Layne asked also a bit surprised.

"Chatot!" Wigglytuff repeated.

"G-Guildmaster..." Chatot finally managed to say.

Layne returned his attention to Chatot as he began to speak.

"Come on, Chatot...stay with us."

"Guildmaster!" Loudred's voice came. Grovyle turned to see the whole Guild running towards them. However at the sight of Grovyle, they all hesitated.

"Grovyle?" Loudred asked in shock.

"What's he doing with the Guildmaster?" Chimeco asked worried.

Wigglytuff turned around, "I'll explain it all later! Right now, this is more important! Chatot is badly hurt!"

"Chatot's down?" Autumn asked.

"Hey, hey!" Corphish said. "That's not good..."

The whole guild gathered around Chatot.

Wigglytuff looked to be on the verge of tears. "Chatot...are you okay? Please...say something."

Layne simply looked away and closed his eyes. It didn't look good. They all knew the dangers of this cave, but...Chatot had to be the one to get the worst of it...

It was then however that he heard...Chatot...Laugh a bit. Layne's eyes went wide open.

"I-I'm fine..." Chatot managed to say though with difficulty. "I'm hale and hearty...as I always am..."

"Oh Chatot." Wigglytuff said, "I'm so sorry. If only I'd gotten here earlier!"

"No...don't blame yourself, Guildmaster." Chatot said. "I'm just...so humiliated. I was defeated by the same enemies...again..."

"No!" Wigglytuff said. "That's not true! The last time we came here...though you were knocked unconscious, things went differently. You won't remember this, I guess. But when that Kabutops and those Omastar jumped us, you shielded me from the attack, Chatot."

Layne listened to the Guildmaster's story. Shielded from an attack...he remembered Grovyle talking about how he had shielded him from an attack just before they came here. And he knew he and Grovyle had both saved each other countless times...

"I...what?" Chatot asked.

Wigglytuff continued. "I may have sent them off packing, but you were the only reason I was able to, for if you didn't do what you did, I would have been taken out just as easily. I owe you my life because of that, Chatot...You are...my invaluable partner..."

"I am privileged to hear such words...Guildmaster."

Layne stood up and walked a short distance away. Chatot had just done the same for them too. And he couldn't help that this bond that Wigglytuff and Chatot now shared, had gone unnoticed by Layne, and it almost made Layne cry. Layne knew that things were getting rougher now. The mission was getting harder, and now...a fellow guild member was seriously hurt because of it. Layne couldn't help but feel a little guilty because of that.

Chatot then closed his eyes.

"Chatot?" Wigglytuff asked.

"Chatot!" Pyro shouted, and the guild began to talk about what was happening. Grovyle however spoke up, "Everyone, stay calm!"

Grovyle took out a bandage cloth from his own sack and wrapped it around his stab wound, and felt for a pulse. "He's going to be just fine. He'll live. But he needs to get proper attention, now. You must take him back to the guild."

Pyro said, "Then let's not waste anymore time! We must get to the guild!"

Layne was listening to this all. He was not out of this conversation.

Wigglytuff however spoke before Layne could. "Pyro. No. We will take Chatot to the guild , but you, Layne and Grovyle must stay, and keep going."

"But-" Pyro began, but Grovyle cut him off.

"Pyro, we are running dangerously close to out of time. The areas in which time has stopped, have nearly doubled in size, and continue to grow. We cannot afford to backtrack now."

"Grovyle's right..." Layne finally said, though some sadness in his voice. "Chatot did what he did...to ensure we would be able to continue without mission. We cannot let what he did...go in vain."

Wigglytuff said, "Layne's right. The pattern you seek, lies just up ahead. Go now...and good luck."

"Thanks again, Wigglytuff." Grovyle said. "I won't easily forget you. Layne, Pyro. Let's go."

Layne nodded though some tears were still present in his eyes. "I'll...I'll catch up. Go on ahead."

Grovyle and Pyro looked over to him, and nodded, and continued to the pattern. Meanwhile, Autumn came over to Layne and gave him a comfort hug.

"Autumn..." Layne said, letting out some tears. "I feel like crud. Please...make sure Chatot lives..."

Autumn simply said, "He'll be okay, Layne."

"I've treated him so badly on so many occasions..."

"Layne...we all have." Autumn said. "And we still will from here on out. But we are all family in a way, we all love him. And we will make sure hemakes it to the guild, okay."

Layne sat on a rock and said, "This is getting really tense. This whole mission for saving the world, Autumn. I don't know if I can take it much longer..."

Autumn sat with him, and said, "Layne...you must succeed. You've come too far to lose to this now. You've tripped slightly, but you're not down, because I'm not going to let you go down. Understand me?"

Layne looked at Autumn. Her face was of seriousness. Layne then smiled and gave her one more hug..."Thanks, Autumn...I really do love you..."

"And I love you, Layne...now go save the world."

Layne stood up..."I will."

"Wait!" Autumn said.

Layne turned back and, Autumn surprisingly, put her mother's necklace around him. "Autumn, I can't. This is your mother's necklace...what if it gets damaged?"

"You can try all you want, Layne," Autumn said, "But that stone has gone to hell and back with nothing to show for it. Not even a scratch. I'm not worried about it getting at all damaged. But I once lost it, and you went and got it for me. Now perhaps...it will bring me back you."

"No..." Layne said and he handed it back to her, "Please, it just doesn't feel right."

Autumn shook her head, and put it around Layne's neck. "Please, Layne...for me...it will make me comfortable, knowing you'll come back..."

Layne smiled, and said, "Okay...I'll take it. But I'm coming back...either way."

"I know you are...please don't lose it."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Layne said, and with that, he ran off to catch up with Grovyle and Pyro...

Layne shortly rejoined with his two partners after one last goodbye with Autumn. Pyro and Grovyle were just talking when rejoined them. They had not yet reached the pattern. Grovyle had been talking about how he had come to be here in Brine Cave.

"Wigglytuff brought me." Grovyle said.

"Wigglytuff did?" Pyro asked.

"Yes. Wigglytuff had been looking for me." Grovyle said. "When he found me, he asked me to go with him. He also told me you were both very close to finding the Hidden Land. It all worked out in the long run, as I planned to join with you anyway."

Layne looked to Grovyle, "Does that mean..."

"Yes." Grovyle said. "I have all five Time Gears."

"Yes!" Pyro exclaimed. "Now all we have to do is get to the Hidden Land!"

"But how?" Layne asked. "It's a place beyond the sea, and all we have are these strange patterns that are somehow connected to it. I don't see what we can do."

"Let's find this other pattern first, layne." Grovyle said. "Then we'll see what happens from there."

They entered the room they were just in with the pattern a few minutes before the scuffle with the bandit pokémon. There was water from the ocean and the sun's last rays entering the room. It was quite a sight, as the cave's mouth was wide open to the sea, and the sunset that it showed, was nothing short of phenomenal. Time had indeed gone fast that day.

Grovyle said, "The tide rises up to here from the gap in the walls, apparently. I wouldn't be surprised if this entire room has seen water at one point in time."

Layne turned to the wall where he thought he had seen the pattern. And there it was. "Guys..."

"What's wrong, Layne?" Pyro asked.

"Nothing." Layne said smiling as he beheld the pattern which covered the wall before him. "Nothing at all..."

"That- That's the same pattern as inscribed on my Relic Fragment!" Pyro exclaimed.

"It is!" Grovyle said.

"And I'm willing to put my money on the fact that this is the pattern Chatot was describing too." Layne said.

Suddenly, Pyro's Fragment glowed, as it was in front of his scarf now. It glowed a light blue.

"Pyro!" Layne said. "Your Fragment!"

They turned to look at Pyro's Fragment. But then Grovyle said, "Fragment, nothing! Look at the wall now!"

Layne and Pyro looked at the wall. The entire pattern began to pulse with the same light blue energy of the Relic Fragment.

Layne said, "Perhaps they're reacting to each other!"

Then a blinding light lit up the entire room. Everyone shielded their eyes, and the energy that was in the fragment, transfered immediately to the pattern on the wall. As soon as that happened, all the energy on the wall was shot out of the mouth of the cave in a beam of light, until it disappeared.

"What...what was that?" Grovyle asked.

"I don't know..." Layne said. "Did we maybe do something wrong? I don't see the Hidden Land..."

"Wait!" Pyro said. "What's that out there?"

Layne looked at what Pyro saw. Layne thought it looked familiar. It was a pokémon of some sort, coming towards them from the sea. As it got closer, Layne could make it out as the pokémon he thought he saw last night before heading back to the Guild. If he had to describe it, he'd describe it somewhat like a friendly looking Loch-ness monster.

It swam toward them, and smiled. "Pyro...Layne...and Grovyle, I presume?"

"You know our names?" Pyro asked.

"Yes." the pokémon said. "Your guildmaster informed me of your names."

"Wigglytuff did?" Layne asked.

"Yes." the pokémon said. "Last night."

"That explains why Wigglytuff was out, I guess." Layne said.

Pyro nodded and said, "You appeared right after that beam of light was shot out to sea. Who are you?"

"My name is Lapras." the pokémon said. "And I am the guide to the Hidden Land."

You're the guide to the Hidden Land?" Grovyle asked.

"You mean...you can take us there?" Layne asked.

"You unleashed the beam from the pattern on the wall." Lapras said. "That is the signal for gaining entry to the Hidden Land, which lies beyond the sea."

"I'm not sure I understand that concept..." Layne said.

"Step onto my back, all of you..." Lapras said, "And we will begin out journey to the Hidden Land. Don't worry about anything, for I am exceptional at transporting pokémon on my back."

Layne, Pyro, and Grovyle all looked at each other. and smiled. "Let's get to it." Grovyle said.

They were that much closer to the Hidden Land, and that much closer to restoring time...