Wigglytuff, you are so fun to write. Can't wait for you to give Team Skull a beat down. I am so writing that scene. Yay crazy people!
"The objective: The exploration of Fogbound Lake, 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 rumour alone. It is also rumoured... a treasure of exquisite beauty is hidden there!"
So there it was. The expedition was here at last. Chatot had given them a quick rundown of the plan then split them down into small groups. Sol was loathe to agree with Chatot, but it was a good idea. Moving as one large clump would really slow them down.
Sol, Eevee and Bidoof were put together. Eevee was happy, but Sol was a little disappointed that Chimecho, Sunflora or even Loudred wasn't with them. Still, she was a lot happier with her group than Wigglytuff was with his.
"Please! Don't make me go alone with Chatot! He's so booooring!"
Wigglytuff had come running down the road when the three had just reached the crossroads, yelling all the way that he was going with them and they had to leave right away before Chatot found out where he was.
"He's soooo serious and grumpy all the time! And he never lets me stay up late or have any fun! I'll go with you, and I'll be good, I promise!"
"Guildmaster! Guildmaster!" Chatot's voice came calling from up the road to the guild. "Where have you run off to?"
"Hide me!"
Wigglytuff jumped behind Eevee, flat on the ground with his arms covering his head as Chatot appeared around a bend.
"Guildmaster! What are you doing? We need to get going!"
"I formally request sanctuary," he whispered to Eevee, as if Chatot wasn't looking right at him.
"Guildmaster, don't be difficult."
"But I don't wanna go with you! You hid all me Perfect Apples last time!"
"This is a key element of our strategy! And I've already told you, if you stopped raiding the supplies every time I turn around, I wouldn't have to hide them."
Never a dull moment when Wigglytuff was around. Not for the first, or the second, or the tenth, Sol wondered how he had managed to start a guild, and a successful one at that.
Chatot did eventually manage to get a whining Wigglytuff on his feet and away. Sol didn't know who to feel sorry for more. But then she remembered she couldn't care less about the trials Chatot faced.
Eevee, Bidoof and Sol started off again down the road, but they didn't make it very far before they were stopped once again.
"Wait! Hold on!" Espeon ran towards them. "When I didn't find anyone at the guild, I thought I was too late. I'm glad I managed to catch up to you and see you off."
"That's really nice of you. We appreciate it," Eevee told his cousin.
"This is a big deal! You're very first expedition! So I went and got you a little something to commemorate the event! Though I didn't realize the expedition was starting so soon. I really had to rush yesterday to make sure they were ready."
From her bag, Espeon pulled out a black bandanna with an intricate, odd design stitched in red. It took Sol a moment to recognize it as the symbol from Eevee's relic fragment.
"When I got the idea, I copied down the design from your... whatever you call it. I thought that maybe you guys could use something to signify who you are. I had a bunch made. Bidoof, would you like one?"
"Shucks, I do appreciate the offer, I really do, but I reckon this should be a Team Wanderers thing."
Eevee and Sol both tied one around there necks and stored the rest in Eevee's man-purse (oh, sorry, "satchel"). Sol rather liked them and thanked Espeon sincerely. It really was a nice gesture.
And so they set off again, this time without interruption. They had chosen a route along the seacoast, which would take them a bit farther south than they needed to go but would lead them to Mount Horn, who's cave system emptied out at the foot of the highlands where the base camp was to be set up.
Sol learned three things while travelling up Craggy Coast:
Don't pet the wildlife. Wingulls may look small and harmless but they're vicious in a flock.
Mystery dungeons don't care it it's impossible to be continuously going down but then somehow end up back at the beginning. On a related note, stubbornly taking the side path over and over again in a futile attempt to stick it to the dungeon only wastes time and gets your companions mad at you.
Bidoof wasn't nearly as bad of an explorer as he made himself out to be.
Bidoof was willing to work hard, learn from his mistakes and didn't run off recklessly by himself. Much like Eevee, Bidoof had always dreamed of being an explorer and therefore had read a lot about mystery dungeons while growing up and was full of information, most irrelevant but some useful like the bit about the Kangaskhan rocks.
The only real problems Sol saw was that he tended to stay on the defensive too much during fights, and when he was given a tip or strategy, he used it to the extreme no matter the situation, which made him to rigid in his technique and unable to adapt. Both of these should pass in time after he gains experience and confidence.
Thanks to Sol's repeated sojourns down the side path ("There is no way this is possible! I will figure this out!"), it was almost dark by the time the group made it away from the coast. They decided to set up camp just outside of the entrance to Mt. Horn, using driftwood taken from the coast to start a small fire.
In the warmth of the flame turned green from the salt encrusted wood, the three ate their dinner of dried fruit and settled down to sleep, too weary from the day's travels to talk.
...
"You all are late!" Chatot told the three when they entered the base camp the next day. "Everyone else arrived a long time ago! Go get your equipment ready. Make haste!"
They hurried into the camp. Mt. Horn hadn't been all that challenging, but it had been long. They had entered the caves at the crack of dawn and hadn't come out until late morning.
Sol was to share a tent with Sunflora and Chimecho, who had already set it up earlier and had a spot set aside for her. Loudred claimed to have set up the tent he, Bidoof and Eevee were to share, but it looked a lot more like be draped a tarp over a now bending stick. So Sol decided to help Eevee and Bidoof set one up right while Loudred complained from the sidelines how his was "good enough".
"Wait! Hold on!" Sol said from inside the half finished tent. "There's a lumpy spot there under the tent floor. Probably just a rock, but it'll be uncomfortable to sleep on. Let me just dig it out while we can."
Sol went outside and lifted the bottom of the tent and patted the ground until she found the lumpy patch. Covered under a thin layer of dirt was a stone that felt as smooth as polished glass and was surprisingly warm, as if it had been laying out in the sun.
"What is that?" Eevee asked when Sol pulled it out into the light.
"I'm not sure."
"It looks like someone encased fire in an orb of glass."
"It sure is different. I think I'll hold onto it. It'll be a good memento of the time Loudred failed at putting up a tent."
"I told you, it was GOOD ENOUGH!" Loudred yelled from the other side of the tent.
Eevee laughed. "Or it could be a souvenir of your first expedition."
"Which shall be remembered for Loudred's fail."
"And hopefully the discovery of treasure."
...
By noon they were all ready, and after a light lunch made by Chimecho, they assembled in front of Chatot and Wigglytuff.
"Now that everyone's here, we can begin our strategy briefing. Now, as you can see, we are in a densely forested area. Somewhere within this forest, Fogbound Lake is supposedly concealed... But so far, that has been nothing more than a rumour. Exploration teams of all stripes have mounted many a challenge, but so far the lake has eluded discovery."
"Hey, hey!" Corphish interrupted. "So it is really there or what?"
"Silly Corphish," Sunflora said. "You'll, like, wreck the dream if you say things like that."
"Yeah!" Loudred added. "Don't spoil things now!"
"Um, may I?" Chimecho said, unsure of herself. Everyone turned to look at her, and she stared at the ground with embarrassment at the sudden attention. "Um, a while ago, I heard about a certain legend about Fogbound Lake. According to the legend, Fogbound Lake is home to a legendary Pokémon named Uxie. Uxie is said to lock eyes with others and wipe their memories clean."
WHAT?! Wipe their memories clean?! Could that be... Was that what had happened to Sol? But if that were true, it still didn't explain how she had appeared on the beach or got turned into a Riolu.
"That's why, even if travellers were to happen upon Fogbound Lake, they would never remember and therefore can't tell others about it. That's how Uxie protects the lake."
"Golly, that's a pretty hair raising tale..." Bidoof mumbled nervously.
"But that can't be RIGHT!" Loudred said. "If no one can even remember the lake, how did the legend even start?"
"I don't know. I'm just telling you what I've heard."
"Places of this sort can be expected to have folktales and legends attached to them," Chatot stepped in, stopping the argument before it could begin. "Our guild has overcome difficult challenges and obstacles before but have succeeded."
"That's how our guild has earned the reputation of being first class," Dugtrio chimed in. "How could we not be under such inspiring leadership?"
What a bootlicker.
"Don't worry!" Wigglytuff sang. "Everything will be fine. Let's believe in success for this adventure, and... Let's try! Let's try!"
"Let's move on with the plan. 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 the area. Be aware that this forest is enshrouded in a deep fog. Once you enter, visibility is severely restricted. Return to camp if you discover anything of note. That is all."
Team Skull ran off into the forest straight away. Diglett and Dugtrio went underground on the possibility it was an underground lake, which could explain its elusive status. After some conferring, the rest of the apprentices came up with a rough plan. Sunflora and Loudred would explore to the north east, Eevee and Sol due east, Corphish and Croagunk south east, and Chimecho and Bidoof due south. This was to decrease the chance that someone would search an area another team had already checked.
The forest was dark and ominous, and the fog was heavy and oppressive, dampening all sound. It was hard to know for sure if Sol was going in the right di Pokémon rection. To keep herself on track, she would pick and object in the distance (which was really only a few feet ahead given the fog), walk towards it then pick another one. In a token effort not to get lost, Sol would also scratch through the bark of the trees she passed, though the marks were merely impossible to see from any distance away.
The forest was definitely not a welcoming place. Sol got the feeling of being watched, and the infrequent shuffling or beating of wings just out of sight did nothing a alleviate the feeling.
"What was that?" Eevee whispered.
"Sol stopped and listened. After a few seconds, she made out a crashing sound, constant and not too far away.
"I don't know. Be ready."
The two crept along slowly, eyes straining into the murk and on full alert. In a place like this, it was hard to tell what direction sound was coming from.
There was a sharp crack from behind and Sol jumped around.
"Sorry," Eevee whispered. "That was me. I, uh, stepped on a twig."
"Hey, hey- Oof!"
Startled by the sudden noise, Sol had whirled around and leashed out with her staff, not realizing it was just Corphish before it was too late.
"Hey, hey! What was that for?!"
"Sorry. But you really shouldn't sneak up on people."
"What are you doing here, anyway? You were supposed to head east."
"We must have drifted south," Eevee said. "It's hard to keep going straight in the fog."
"Hey, hey, hey! You two find any clues?"
"No, nothing yet... How about you? Any luck?"
"Croagunk and I, we found something interesting. He went back to report it to the Guildmaster. It's over here I'll show you."
Corphish led them a short ways through the fog. The trees thinned out and they found the source of the crashing noise. Large waterfalls dumped tons of water into deep pools with a rumble like thunder. Sol couldn't see where the water was coming from, though.
Corphish took them to a large, stone statue tilted to the side from where the base was sinking into the earth.
"It seems to be some sort of Pokémon, though I've never seen one like that before."
Eevee walked around and examined the statue while Sol stared at the carved figure. This Pokémon was huge, extremely intimidating. It really looked as if it really paked a punch. If the Pokémon actually existed, Sol hoped the statue wasn't to scale.
"Huh? There's and inscription here!" Eevee exclaimed from the side of the statue. "Let me read it... 'Reignite the life that burned within Groudon, then the sky shall blaze with the sun's heat. The path to treasure shall be revealed.' Whoa! Do you think this could mean the treasure of Fogbound Lake?"
"I'd hate to think we stumbled on the wrong, ancient, hidden treasure."
"'The life that burned within Groudon'... so this 'Groudon', is it this statue?"
"Hey, hey! So we're supposed to, what, ignite the life that was in the statue?"
"If that's supposed to mean we have to bring the statue to life so it can act as tour guide to the treasure, I am so outta here."
"That's just ridiculous, Sol."
"You're right. It is much more likely it comes to life and attacks us."
Eevee rolled his eyes and read through the inscription once more.
"How are we supposed to ignite life?"
Sol stared at the statue's face, cold and hard, then down at her hands. Hmm... It was worth a shot.
Sol ran a hand along the statue, intentionally trying to get a vision. She didn't have to wait long before the dizziness kicked in.
"That's it! It's here!"
The vision ended as quickly as it had begun, leaving Sol with just those four words. She didn't have time to think them over before the dizziness started up again, a second vision so soon after the first.
"I see! Place the Drought Stone in Groudon's Heart. That lifts the fog!"
"Very well done! Good job, partner!"
Sol blinked and the vision was gone. She had only been able to hear voices, broken and distorted like seeing a reflection in shattered glass. You could get a vague idea of what was being shown, but would never be able to identify it with complete surety.
So, if this was Groudon, what was the Drought Stone? Sol checked the statue's chest, and sure enough there was a small hollow where the heart would be. What would fit there... Wait! Was it possible?
Sol took out the odd stone she had found earlier. It was just the right size and shape. Ok, now she knew someone was messing with her. What were the odds she just happened to find the stone?
Sol fit the stone into the hollow. For a few moments nothing happened, then the statue's eyes glowed blood red and the ground started to shake.
"Waah! Sol, what did you do?! Everyone, we have to get back!"
They ran back from the statue, but only made it a few steps before the world was consumed by a blinding white flash. When it faded, the fog had been erased and the sunlight beat down with a fierce intensity.
And Fogbound Lake was revealed.
High above them, supported on a thick column of earth and rock, was a huge, circular plateau from which numerous waterfalls cascaded down. The sight held an impossible beauty and explained why fogbound lake had never been discovered. Sol could do nothing but stare at the astounding scene.
"Hey, hey!" Corphish shattered the awe struck moment. "This is no time to be gawking! I'll let everyone in the guild know, you two go on ahead!"
Corphish ran back towards the base camp, the trip sure to be much easier with the obscuring fog gone.
"All right, Sol. Onward to Fogbound Lake!"
"...I wanted to say the 'onward' line..."
"Oh. Go ahead, you can say it too."
"No, the moment is gone. Next time we uncover the secret entrance to something, I call dibs on the line."
"Hold it!" came a voice and Skuntank, accompanied by Koffing and Zubat, ran over and stopped them before they could leave.
"Chaw-haw-haw! Now that-"
"Hey, can we skip the whole unveiling of the plan, thing?" Sol interrupted. "Really, we've seen this coming for a while. You say something threatening, your lackeys insult us, Eevee says something along the lines of 'you'll never win', then I come up with a clever remark."
"Chaw-haw-haw. We can get right to the beat down if you prefer."
"See? You start with threats. Granted, this one is a bit more overt then your usual thin veil, but still..."
"Don't you remember what happened last time?" Eevee growled. "We won. You don't stand a chance!"
"Oh, we skipped your lackeys."
"Whoa-ho-ho! We'll just have to resort to a more traditional combat style. We don't need the noxious gas combo to cream you wimps anyway."
"There's the insults! Really, we need to come up with better showdown ideas."
No one was paying any attention to Sol by that point, not even Eevee. They were all poised to attack, until an apple suddenly rolled in between the opposing teams.
"Wait! Wait! Wait for me!" Wigglytuff ran over and scooped up the apple. "Perfect Apple! Perfect Apple! I finally caught you! My Perfect Apple! He thought he could hide you all, but no one can keep me from my Perfect Apples! Oh?"
Wigglytuff finally noticed all the people standing around staring at him.
"Oh, you two! And my friends, too! Everyone's all together! Yay, yay!"
"Guildmaster," Skuntank stammered. "Wh-what are you doing here?"
"Huh? What am I doing? I was taking a walk in the forest. Then my Perfect Apple went rolling and rolling away from me! I ran and ran and ran, and here I am! Oh, yes!" Wigglytuff turned to Eevee and Sol. "You two shouldn't be dawdling here, should you? You have a job to do, right? Go on, then, off you go!"
"But..."
"You don't want to listen to your Guildmaster? Booo! Booo! Hurry, get exploring!"
"Um... Ok. Let's go, Sol."
"Good luck!" Wigglytuff called after them.
Next chapter: we finally meet that Charmnder I mentioned a while ago. No, I did not forget.