Author's Note: This is something catflowerqueen brought up to me a while back, in that Lapras a) probably would've felt guilty about bringing Darkrai to the Hidden Land, and b) may have brought that up to Wigglytuff, depending on when, exactly, everything went down. So here's my attempt at working out a few timeline details.


Doubts

"Lapras! I'm glad to see you."

Wigglytuff had arrived in the far chamber of Brine Cave a little while ago. To his luck, Lapras showed up not too long afterwards. Fortunate, as he didn't know how he would've contacted the Water-Type otherwise.

Lapras smiled and nodded as he replied. "Yes, same to you, Wigglytuff. It's been a while… How have you been?"

"Fine, fine!" Wigglytuff sang as he nodded in return. However, the cheeriness suddenly dropped as he went on. "But…there's something I need to talk to you about."

"I get the feeling you're not here to catch up for old time's sake." Lapras tilted his head to the side curiously. "Well, then…what is it, old friend?"

Wigglytuff paused, glancing around hastily. He'd managed to fight off those bandits again, so he doubted they'd hear this conversation, but…he wanted to make sure none of the cave's other residents were nearby. Fortunately, he and Lapras seemed to be alone, but Wigglytuff still spoke in hushed tones once he was sure.

"Well…I'm sure you've noticed how weird everything's been lately, right?"

Lapras blinked. "You don't mean…how time's been flowing unevenly lately, do you? I've heard some news even down here, but…I'd hoped they were mere rumors."

Wigglytuff sighed. "No, they're all true, friendly-friend. And…some of my recruits think they can fix it. They already know about the Hidden Land somehow, but…I'm still going to have to tell them about you. How else will they get there?"

Lapras was silent for a long while, and Wigglytuff hoped he hadn't offended the transporter in some way. He'd truly hoped he'd be able to keep Lapras's presence a secret, but Team Shadow would need him. And if Lapras had heard the news, then surely he realized how dire the situation was, right?

Finally, Lapras spoke up, and Wigglytuff was startled at the deadly-serious tone of his voice.

"Wigglytuff, I'd like to think that you're a trustworthy Pokémon, but I must tell you… The last time I took a Pokémon to the Hidden Land, I believe he was the one responsible for what's going on now."

"What?" Wigglytuff's eyes widened. "But that's terrible! Are you sure? When was it?"

"It was after I met you." Lapras's voice was still that scary kind of too-even, and it was unnerving to listen to. "However, given the context of my meetings with you and him, I chose to believe that the incidents were unrelated. But if you're bringing more Pokémon here now…"

Wigglytuff hunched over slightly as he rapidly shook his head. "No, no, of course not! I promised, Lapras! I didn't break my promise back then. My apprentices are all good Pokémon, and…Team Shadow…they know about the Time Gears. They know what they're supposed to do with them. Does that convince you?"

Lapras's eyes widened at the news. So he knew what Meowth and Chimchar were talking about, then. He nodded slowly, and Wigglytuff felt himself relaxing. That confirmed not only that Team Shadow were telling the truth, but also that Lapras believed him.

"The Time Gears…yes, Dialga did mention what they were supposed to do," Lapras murmured. "So if they're going to take them to the tower…they must be trying to help. All right—who should I be waiting for, then?"

Wigglytuff sighed in relief. "Yay—I'm glad you understand, friendly-friend! Meowth's the one in charge, but she should be bringing the rest of her team along, too. So Chimchar, Cubone, Cacnea, and Glameow will be down here, too." He paused before adding, "Oh, and I need to find Grovyle, too! So that's it, then. It should be in the next day or two at the most."

Lapras nodded. "All right, then. I'll trust your judgment, Wigglytuff. And…I'll be waiting for them."

"Thank you, Lapras! And…again…I'm sorry."

"It's nothing, friend; if things are as bad as I've heard they are…we do need them to try, after all."

With that, Lapras turned around and swam out of the area, and Wigglytuff sighed again. That had been both better and worse than he'd expected, somehow…but at least it was all cleared up now. He'd done what he could for Team Shadow—so now he'd have to leave things to them and hope for the best.