Layne was gasping for air. As was everyone in the group. They had just taken on the mountain they called Mt. Horn. For the most part, it wasn't so difficult, at least until they got to a certain area, and then they were fighting off dinosaurs. At least that was what Layne saw them as. Bidoof had called them Aerodactyl, but whatever they were, they were attacking the group.

Layne and Autumn were the ones who had to do most of the fighting here, as apparently like those rock pokémon Layne had encountered a few months back, the Aerodactyl did not like water. So it took a lot of water guns, and water pulses to drive them off, but they were easily startled and driven away.

So when they had finally gotten off the mountain, Layne was surprised his heart had continued to beat. He was easily worn, and the group was too. "Let's remember not to come back that way." Layne said. "We all present and accounted for? No one got eaten by terrors on wings?"

Bidoof gasped and said, "All...here..."

Layne took off his goggles from his head and ran his paw through his fur. He never thought sweat was at all comfortable, and being covered in fur, did not at all change that opinion, and in fact, he probably hated it more.

Autumn sighed, and said, as she leaned against a rock, "Look at the bright side, we made it over Mt. Horn at least."

Pyro took out his map, and asked, "Then where's the base camp from here?"

Layne took a deep breath, and inhaled humidity that almost made him cough up a bit. He looked, and saw, fog. "I can hazard a guess, that we are indeed pretty close."

The others looked at the forest. "Well, it can't be too far off," Autumn said.

"Yeah, but my question is will we be able to navigate through this thick fog?" Layne asked. "I don't think I've ever seen fog this thick before."

It was then that a shadow came from the fog. They each got in a defensive position. If more pokémon were going to present them a problem, they'd show that pokémon, that they did not want to be bothered anymore. But as the shadow came forward, it appeared to be Corphish. At this, the group relaxed.

"It's nice to see a friendly face." Layne said smiling.

"Hey, hey!" Corphish said. "Where'd you all come from?"

Autumn spoke, "We just descended from Mt. Horn. Do you happen to know where the base camp is?"

Corphish nodded, "Hey, hey! Follow me, but stay close! This fog is thicker than...than..."

Layne chuckled and said, "Wigglytuff's skull?"

That got a few looks in his general direction, and Layne shrugged, "You can laugh, it was a joke."

No one said anything. Layne sighed. He knew the guild looked to Wigglytuff as a great pokémon, but they could possibly put aside the fact that the pokémon was weird and...well sometimes a bit young in the head. Too young. Layne simply sighed. "Oh well..."

About five minutes later they had entered the camp. Corphish called out, "Hey, hey! The last group's here!"

Last group? It looked like everyone else had beat them. "Dang Aerodactyl." Layne leaned into Autumn as he said that, and that managed to get a smile from her, but they all stood at attention when Chatot walked over.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Bidoof said.

Chatot looked a bit angered. "You are all late! Everyone else arrived a long time ago!"

Layne rolled his eyes and popped his neck.

"I'd hope that having Autumn with your group would make the time of your arrival a bit more faster." Chatot said.

Autumn took that to heart a bit personally, and Layne said, "Hey, lay off, Chatot. The only thing that should matter is that we made it safely, shouldn't it?"

Chatot sighed and simply said, "Set your equipment down, and set up your tents. But do make haste please." Chatot said. "Now that we're all here, we can go on with our strategy briefing."

With that he walked off. Layne set down the treasure bag (which he always carried for the most part), for a moment to stretch out. Autumn looked and said, "You know you didn't have to say that to Chatot."

Layne chuckled as he picked up the equipment again and started walking to an open area for the tents, "I didn't need to do a lot of things, but I did them anyway. I'm not gonna let Chatot lay the entire blame on one member for being tardy."

About ten minutes later, they had begun to set up their tents. Layne however was working a bit slow. Pyro looked over, "Layne? You okay over there?"

Layne looked up and then looked around the fog. The forest was dense in the fog, but one could make out certain landscape areas. Layne was getting a very strange feeling...a feeling he...

"Layne?" Pyro repeated.

"Sorry." Layne said. "I just have...a very strange feeling."

"Why?" Bidoof asked as he brought over a few more steaks for the tents.

Layne shrugged, "I don't know. But..."

Autumn looked over. "But what?"

Layne swung the hammer into his palm as he contemplated his words. "I just can't help but feel that I should know this place. I feel like I've been here before."

"Been here before?" Pyro asked. "Layne, perhaps this is a key to your past. Perhaps you've been here before you lost your memory!"

Layne shrugged and resumed hammering in the tent. "Maybe. But I'm not drawing up anything else. It's just another gut feeling."

Chatot walked by and seeing this, simply said, "We do not have all day for you to put up these tents! Step it up!"

Layne sighed and continued hammering in the stake as Chatot walked away. "Patience, Layne..." he told himself. "Patience..."

After they had managed to set up the tents, a meeting was called. The sun was going down in the sky and Layne knew that day two of the expedition was about to come to an end.

"Attention!" Chatot called out. "We are very pleased that you all have arrived safe and sound. Tomorrow, we will begin with the exploration of the area surrounding us." Chatot turned to the forest and said "As you all can see, the fog is indeed very thick, and the forest is very dense. However, in legend, Fogbound Lake is supposed to be concealed within this forest. Though remember, this is rumor, and nothing more. Exploration Teams of all sorts have challenged this forest, but so far, all have come up empty."

Corphish then spoke up, "Hey, hey! So is it really there, or not? I mean if it's remained undiscovered for so long, why continue searching for it? I mean, if so many exploration teams have come up empty, well...you know what I'm asking."

Sunflora laughed, and said, "Silly you. Don't spoil the expedition."

"Some of us ARE actually hoping to find SOMETHING." Loudred spoke as well.

"Hey, hey..." was all Corphish could reply with.

Layne chuckled and nudged him, and said, "Cheer up. What do we have to lose if it exists or not?"

Chimeco spoke up, "If I may, while Dugtrio, Corphish, and I traveled, we came across a legend."

"More legend?" Layne simply chuckled.

"Please," Chatot said, giving Layne a look, "Share with the group."

"According to legend," Chimeco spoke up, Fogbound Lake is home to a pokémon by the name of Uxie. It is said that Uxie is extremely rare, and rarely shows itself to anyone. But it is said, that if you were to lock eyes with him, he could erase your memory."

At those words, Layne looked up. Erase memory? Pyro also looked at him.

Chimeco continued, "It is a theory as to why Fogbound Lake has been hidden for so long. It is said, that Uxie does this as a method of protection from any invaders on a certain thing it guards."

That got a few murmurs from the guild members. Loudred was even a bit fearful it was true, in hoping his memory would remain as it was. "What will I do if MY memory is WIPED clean?"

Sunflora simply looked at him, "Like you have much to worry about. You're so forgetful anyway."

Loudred just gave her a look, and Chatot spoke up, "Ahem. We did not expect places like this to be without legends of that sort. But one of the reasons we are here is to once and for all put this to rest. Our guild in the past has been presented with challenges of this sort, and we have overcome such obstacles on previous successful expeditions."

Dugtrio spoke up, "Well of course! Isn't that how the guild received the reputation for being first-class in the first place?"

"It is." Chatot said.

Wigglytuff spoke up, "We should have nothing to worry about. Everything will be fine! Let us all believe that we will indeed succeed in this adventure, and try, try, try!"

Layne was still thinking about what Chimeco had said. Uxie, if he existed, apparently had the power to erase minds. Had he...

He couldn't concentrate right now.

"Guildmaster Wigglytuff and I will remain here to gather intelligence from teams in the field as we continue exploring this area. You will go off in teams to explore this forest tomorrow. Please be aware of your surroundings, because this forest is heavily dense with the fog as mentioned already. Give it your all to discover this lake, but do not go so reckless as to lose your way in the forest. Are we in full understanding?"

The guild members all gave a nod and a vocal understanding.

Chatot then said, "Then get some rest, for tomorrow, we begin exploring."

The guild members cheered at that. Layne however did nothing but continue to think about what had just been said.

"Did you hear what Chimeco said, Layne?" Pyro asked as they went to their tent.

"You bet I did." Layne said. "I don't think this can merely be coincidence. I'm getting a strange feeling that I should know this place, and then Chimeco just mentions a legend that Uxie, a rare pokémon lives here and has the power to erase memory. I don't know if I've been here before or not, but I'm interested, needless to say the least."

"Perhaps we can finally get some answers as for who you really are, Layne!" Pyro said.

Layne sighed as he entered their tent. "Perhaps. I just hope that this isn't some dead end. My mind is trying to explode with information, Pyro, but I can't access anything."

Pyro held up a hand as he got comfortable. "Layne, perhaps some rest will help you figure some of this all out. You won't do yourself, or the guild any favors by getting no rest. So try to relax, and rest."

Layne smiled and sighed, "You're right. The answers will come. I can feel it."

The next morning, he and Pyro were off in the forest. Bidoof and Autumn had split in search in other parts in the forest. They didn't mind, but the wished the fog wasn't so dense.

"I cannot believe how dense this fog is." Pyro said. "We could be going in circles, and not know at all."

Layne sighed and said, "Let's try to keep our heads high. If the possible keys to unlocking at least a little of my past are here, I want to find them. Whatever it takes."

"You mean find Uxie?"

"Perhaps. But anything will do. A vision, anything."

"Why don't you try to get a vision now?"

"I've been trying." Layne said. "If I did get a vision, I must have missed it."

"When was the last time you had a vision?" Pyro asked.

"Maybe a few days ago. I paid no attention to it."

"What was it about?"

"Mt. Horn. All I can really tell you about it. I really didn't- Ouch!"

Layne had stepped on something. It was a rock, but a rock against the barefoot sometimes just meant an uncomfortable feeling. The rock had a pointy top, which Layne had stepped on. Layne's foot wasn't cut, but it felt really weird.

"What's wrong?" Pyro asked.

Layne massaged his foot. "I stepped on this stupid stone." Layne said picking it up, about to throw it out of the road.

"Whoa!" Pyro said. "That's stone's a bit unique, isn't it?"

Layne looked at it. "I don't know. I've seen my fair share of gems or stones in my life. despite this stone's rather...weird, warm feeling, I don't see what's so unique about it."

"What do you mean, weird, warm feeling?" Pyro asked.

Layne tossed him the stone. "See for yourself."

Pyro caught the stone and held it. Layne half expected Pyro to shake his head. Layne had no idea if he would be able to detect what he felt. For all Layne knew, Pyro's normal body temperature could be well into the hundreds, and Layne still didn't know his own temperature.

"Wow!" Pyro exclaimed. "I do feel the stone's warmth! Like it's coming from the inside!"

Layne shrugged. "I still don't see what's so unique about it."

"Well what do you think it is? It's too cool to be lava, and I don't know of any gem that would produce such a strange heat. Still, it could be crucial for later. It's a gut feeling."

Layne chuckled. "Can't go wrong with gut feelings," he said quietly as Pyro echoed his words at him. Layne then spoke louder, "If you think it seriously means something, I won't protest, perhaps you're right. Who knows. And if it doesn't do anything, you got yourself a souvenir from your first expedition."

Pyro chuckled at that and put it in the bag that Layne carried.

Layne then said, "Okay, back on task. This fog is obviously going to make things harder. We need something that gives us somewhat of a lead."

"What do you suggest?" Pyro asked, looking at Layne.

Layne sat down, and said, "Let's think it over for a moment."

Layne shut his eyes and began to think. Pyro tried to think himself but couldn't come up with anything. Layne tried to think, but found it hard as he was hearing the sound of running water was making it hard to think. That's when it dawned on him!

"We're looking for a lake. Rivers sometimes flow from lakes! I'm hearing a river nearby, if we find it, all we need to do is follow it possibly to the lake!"

Pyro crossed his arms, "Layne that's a bit too simple. I'm sure that many exploration teams have contemplated that exact thought, and yet the lake still remains hidden."

"Even if it doesn't lead us directly to the lake, it could give us a lead, and given our current situation, any lead is a good lead right now." Layne said resuming to walk.

Pyro shrugged, "Perhaps you're right. So let's find the river."

Upon finding the river, they followed it upstream for a while. The local pokémon really did not disturb them. Layne could only take in what he saw with a kind of, keen, interest and respect. He felt calm. He didn't know if it was just the nature of the scene or the river beside him, but he still felt at peace with himself, again.

They continued to follow the river, until they could follow it no further. Layne wasn't sure he understood. Layne didn't know what to think. There wasn't a cliff in sight, yet there were dozens or more waterfalls falling from the sky in a mist rain, and some even in a huge torrent.

"You were talking about a lead?" Pyro asked a bit jokingly and crossing his arms.

"Pyro..." Layne said a bit playfully. But he was trying to figure out why exactly the waterfalls were here. He looked up. He couldn't see anything they could be coming from. It just didn't make sense. The fog was too thick to tell anything, from waterfall locations to the time of the day. Layne simply sighed.

This at least prompted a small break for him to cool off a bit. He walked into a shallow area of the river and got on all fours. He didn't know the power of the waterfall, or the depth of certain areas. But as he stuck his head under the falls, he simply smiled. It certainly felt refreshing enough. "It's a real pity you can't try this, Pyro."

Pyro simply shrugged, "I prefer certain things you probably wouldn't enjoy so much."

Layne came out of the river and shook off excess water. "Fair enough. Let's try to get a fair assessment of where we are."

"Well we've been following this river or creek for a while now. I'd say we're pretty deep in the forest."

"Fair assumption." Layne said. "I will say, it could just be me, but if I had to hazard a guess, the fog's gotten a lot thicker."

"Layne, are you saying were lost?"

"Not at all." Layne said. "Even if we are, we have a river we can follow to where we started."

"Hey, hey, hey!" A familiar voice called out.

Layne and Pyro turned to see Corphish standing ahead of them.

They made their way to the crawfish pokémon and Layne gave a smile, and said, "What's happening, Corphish?"

"You guys find anything?" Corphish asked.

Pyro shrugged, "We can't really say we have."

Layne simply thought to himself, "Unless you consider pretty rocks to be a major find..." Layne then spoke out loud, "You find anything?"

Corphish shook his head, "No. I've got nothing to show for either. Don't let it get you down too much."

Layne shrugged and gave a small smile. "I half expected this. This fog is just too much of a killer."

Corphish however continued, "But, there is something a little interesting, that I did just come across. I was about to report if to Wigglytuff, when I heard you both."

Pyro asked, "What?"

Corphish lead them slowly through the fog. "A statue of some sort."

They came to the said statue, and Layne took a long look at it. Simply looking at it gave him that feeling from before. A reflecting feeling, that he for some reason felt he should know something of it. What was this thing?

The statue was obviously the victim of time, soft soil, and heavy weight in mud. The statue looked aging as it was also covered in moss, eroded away in certain areas, and even cracked in few places. But other than that, the statue was in good condition and would last for a while.

Layne simply said, "I doubt that the sculptor sculpted his statue here for viewing purposes."

"What kind of pokémon is that?" Pyro asked as he got a closer look at the statue that dwarfed them all in size.

"I don't know." Layne said, "Then again I wouldn't know pokémon for the life of me. I will say, I don't think the sculptor meant for the statue to be sinking into the ground either."

"Layne, please." Pyro said, trying to calm Layne's jokes down.

Layne simply chuckled and said, "Sorry, never was that good at humor."

Corphish said, "I can't say I know of a pokémon like this either. But as I first found it, I gave the statue a proper examination. All I could find was some inscription that I could not translate."

"Inscription?" Pyro asked. "Where?"

Corphish pointed it out, and Pyro leaned in close. "It's written in footprint runes! I can read this for the most part!" Pyro said.

Layne looked at Pyro, "You can translate whatever that is?" he asked in surprise. "And you call me a pokémon of many surprises, Pyro, I never expected you to be able to do this."

Pyro laughed a bit and shrugged, "What can I say? I love exploring, and before we met, Layne, I did do a fair amount of studying."

"Well, what does it say?" Corphish asked.

"It's a bit weathered out...let me see...'Reignite the life that burned within Groundon, and the sky will blaze with the sun's heat. Thus shall the path to the treasure be revealed.'"

That last part got the attention of both Corphish and Pyro. "Path to the Treasure?" Pyro exclaimed.

"Simply incredible! Then perhaps the legend is true!" Corphish exclaimed.

"It could be hidden right here! The treasure of Fogbound Lake!" Pyro said.

"Do you think so?" Corphish asked, "Then we need to solve this clue!"

"Perhaps we should start digging?" Layne simply asked. "A good amount of treasure I'm aware of is in the ground."

Pyro simply said, "We're jumping ahead of ourselves. We need to solve the entire mystery of the inscription here. This part of the life in Groundon doesn't seem to make sense to me."

Corphish said, "I've heard of Groundon. It's a pokémon spoken in myths and it is said to have raised the land since the creation of the world. Could this statue be Groundon?"

"All this talk of myths and legend isn't really helping us, it's just making things more confusing." Layne said. "Igniting the life of a statue is confusing enough. How does one go about doing that?"

Pyro then looked at Layne, "Layne, I know! Touch the statue!"

"What, why?" Layne asked.

"Perhaps, just maybe, you'll see something!"

Layne couldn't say that didn't cross his mind, but he still had no clue as to how it worked. "Pyro, I don't know. I mean, I've tried seeing things before, and have had little to no success."

Pyro said, "Layne, perhaps you're trying too hard. Try relaxing yourself." Layne sighed and tried to relax. Pyro also said, "This could be a key to your past Layne."

"Ain't that the truth." Layne simply said.

Corphish was confused. "What do you mean? What's going on?"

Layne looked at Corphish and simply said, "It's a very long story. Maybe I'll fill you in later."

Layne relaxed and touched the pokémon. "Come on...show me something. Show me anything..."

"Anything, Layne?" Pyro asked.

Layne did not respond. His eyes were closed, simply in thought. Then it came. Head-rush. Layne leaned against the statue to keep himself standing. Pyro came and supported him. Layne's eyes glazed blue, but what was he seeing?

Layne saw nothing. He heard nothing. Wait. He heard something. Layne looked frantically around, but just couldn't see anything! Why?

"It says something about rebirthing the life of Groundon. It may be the darkness, but this description, just doesn't seem to make much sense..."

Layne was only getting bits and pieces of voices. But of who? And why did they sound so damn familiar?

"...I know what to do..."

Layne could have sworn those were his words, but when? Was this the future? Would he revisit this spot? Or was this the past? Had he indeed been here before, and had lost his memory? This was too vague! He had been searching for a clue to his past, and this could be it! Why did it have to be so simple though! He needed more!

"Rebirth the life...perhaps return his heart?"

Layne rubbed his head. The vision was starting to fade, and so much of a vision that was. Layne literally saw nothing. It was just voices! Why? Why was it so different than any other vision he had had so far?

"Here goes nothing..."

Layne ran, and tried to find anything. He felt the ground beneath him, and he felt an environment, but why did he see nothing?

"You did it! Great job...partner..."

"...It was nothing..."

Layne felt the vision begin to end, but not before he saw at his side a light in his bag that was bright. But what was that? He finally saw the ground return and the environment. Pyro and Corphish were both at his side. Corphish was confused. "Layne, what just happened?"

Pyro looked at him and asked, "What did you see?"

Layne shook his head, "Nothing. I just heard...voices."

"Voices?"

"I could have sworn that one sounded like...mine. But I can't remember anything. And I didn't recognize the second voice I heard."

"Layne, perhaps this is a key to your past, but what about the statue?" Pyro asked. "All your visions have been connected to certain things. Did the statue perhaps get mentioned?"

"Briefly." Layne said. "Someone read the description on the statue I guess. Then someone drew the conclusion of returning his heart... or something."

"Heart?"

Layne then remembered that there was a light at his side. He looked at his side to see the bag. He opened it. The stone they had picked up from earlier was in there. Was this stone by any chance, connected to this statue?

"No way. There is just no way." Layne said, to himself.

"What, Layne?" Pyro asked.

"Rebirth the life..." Layne said as he came to the front of the statue. "Return his heart..."

Layne took off the bag and approached the statue at a running speed, and jumped up onto the statue.

"Hey, hey! Be careful, Layne!" Corphish warned. Layne simply said, "Don't worry..." Layne wasn't sure, but he felt that the answer was somewhere here. In this statue. Layne felt around, and found what he guessed was here. A cavity in the chest. "Return the heart..." he repeated.

"Layne, did you find something?" Pyro asked.

Layne looked down, with a small smile. "Perhaps taking that stone with us was a good thing to do."

Pyro looked confused. Huh?"

Layne chuckled and said, "The stone in the bag, would you mind tossing it up to me?"

"What for?"

"Perhaps there is something more to that stone than we thought." Layne said. "That unnatural heat we felt. Perhaps that's the heart that the voices were referring to. There's a cavity in this area of the statue. Perhaps, just perhaps, it is where the stone goes."

Pyro looked in thought then nodded. "It's worth a try."

Pyro tossed the stone to Layne, who caught the stone, and fitted it in the statue's hollow space.

A few seconds passed without anything happening. Layne was about to lose hope and take the stone out, when suddenly, the statue's eyes which were next to his face, glowed a bright red. Layne was caught off guard, and let go of the statue, and fell to the ground.

Pyro and Corphish saw what was happening, "Get back!" Pyro called. Layne tried to back away, as the statue glowed brightly, and suddenly, Layne's vision went white.

A few minutes passed, and Layne's vision came to finally. Layne looked up. A huge plateau was above his head, which was the source of the waterfall. Layne could only guess how water got up there in a continuous flow as it did, but the sight awed him.

Wait a minute!

The fog!

It was gone!

Layne looked around. The forest was visible. All of it. They had lifted the fog! Layne smiled and simply said, "Well what do you know..."

"Layne!" Pyro's voice called out. "Where are you? Are you okay?"

Layne called out, "I'm fine. A little shaken, but fine."

Corphish and Pyro ran over. "Hey, hey! You lifted the fog, Layne! Unbelievable."

Layne shook his head, "Corphish, you're the one who found the statue. Don't force all the credit on me." Layne also looked at Pyro. "And had you not convinced me of your gut feeling on that stone, we'd all still be wandering around wondering what the statue meant."

Pyro simply said, "Layne, you and your ability are amazing, and we would not have been able to solve this mystery if you didn't have it."

Corphish simply said, "Okay, what's this about an ability?"

Layne simply said, "Corphish, apparently upon contact with certain items, I can see visions of the past, and the future. Don't ask how it works, because I haven't the slightest idea. In fact, it was only recently that I figured out I even had the ability in the first place."

"Hey, hey!" Corphish said, "Perhaps the guildmaster can tell you about this ability?"

Layne shook his head. "I'm not comfortable letting too many people here know about it, and perhaps I should have kept it to myself."

Corphish shook his head. "Layne, You can trust me to keep a secret."

Layne smiled and stood up, "I'd appreciate it. You guys get a good look at the scenery above and around us?"

They both looked up and nodded, "Yeah." Pyro said. "Corphish and I were just wondering perhaps that Fogbound Lake was up there. We've been going in circles. It wasn't until this fog lifted that we were able to see why there were waterfalls here. Fogbound Lake must be up there."

Layne simply said, "It's a theory that makes sense."

"Hey, hey! This is no time to be gawking at the scenery, however!" Corphish said. "The guildmaster must be informed!"

"He most likely already knows." Layne said. "I don't see how anyone can miss this big plateau now."

"None the less, I'll go inform everyone in the guild of this. You two, see if you can find a safe way up, perhaps!" And with that, Corphish ran off to inform the guild.

Layne simply crossed his arms and smiled, "Corphish. He's a hearty guy, I will say."

"Shall we get going then?" Pyro asked.

"Layne simply said, "I don't see why not."

"Hold it!" A voice said. A familiar voice.

Layne felt the old anger moods return as the sound of Skuntank's voice reached his ears. "What do they want now?" he simply growled.

Team Skull came out of hiding and blocked Layne and Pyro's path. Skuntank smiled, "Good job on lifting the fog."

Koffing coughed in joy. "You've made our job, much easier."

Layne popped his neck. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Zubat simply said, "Use your head, weasel! Did you really think we were this interested in the Guild's expedition for memory purposes? You've made the job of locating the treasure, that much easier for us!"

Pyro was astonished, "You- You fiends!"

Layne simply threw his arms up in frustration, "I should have known! It goes beyond the Perfect Apples. You've been in on this for personal gain. I really should have seen this coming!"

Skuntank laughed. :So sorry to say this, but we'll rid ourselves of you, and any other guild members right here and now."

"Try it again!" Layne said. "We won't go down as easy as last time. I don't care how pungent your gas is."

"We won't let you get to Fogbound Lake!" Pyro shouted.

Skuntank simply said, "I assure you, this showdown will be exactly like the last. Koffing, let us show these two-"

He was cut off as an apple rolled out in front of them, and a voice simply called out, "Come back here! Wait! Wait for me!"

"What's that?" Zubat asked.

Layne walked forward and picked it up. The apple was huge. Almost as big as the apples from...

"Pyro, it's a Perfect Apple."

"Wait for me!" The Guildmaster's voice called out. Layne turned to see Wigglytuff run out of the bushes at Layne. He was chanting, as he ran up to Layne. "Ah! You've caught my Perfect Apple! Thank you, friendly friend!"

"Uhh," Layne simply said as he offered it back, "You're welcome?"

"If my Perfect Apple went away, I would simply..." Wigglytuff said as he began to store energy or something.

Layne held up his paws and said, "I understand, please, hold on to it."

Wigglytuff then looked around. "Oh it's you two!" He said to Layne and Pyro. He then turned to Team Skull, "And my friends too!"

Layne simply looked at Pyro. "I don't know what's going on anymore." he simply said to Pyro.

Wigglytuff said, "Everyone's all together! Yay!"

Skuntank didn't look at all pleased. "G-Guildmaster, what are you doing here?"

"What am I doing?" Wigglytuff asked. "I was taking a walk through the forest, the my Perfect Apple went rolling away from me as the sunlight startled me! So I ran and I ran and here I am!" he said in cheer.

Lane simply crossed his arms. What went on in the head of Guildmaster Wigglytuff would forever be to Layne, a complete mystery. Wigglytuff then looked at Layne and Pyro. "The fog has vanished! You two shouldn't be dawdling here, should you?"

"What, now?" Layne simply asked.

"You two have a duty to explore this forest! So off you both go."

Pyro interjected, "But Guildmaster, we-"

"You don't want to listen to your Guildmaster? Booo! Booo!" Wigglytuff said in a cheerful manner.

Layne simply pushed Pyro on and said, "We'll get right on it, Guildmaster. You can count on us."

"Good luck!" Wigglytuff chanted.

As Layne pushed Pyro out, Pyro looked back, "But what about Team Skull?"

Layne shook his head. "The greatest victory is a battle not fought. Team Skull wouldn't dare go as far as knocking out Wigglytuff first. If they did, hopefully, the Guild would revolt after finding him, and smelling such awful gas. It's just not a strategic move on their part. We'd best get out before we make a careless move again that ends up costing us more than we bargain for."

Pyro was a bit uncertain but simply said, "Okay, Layne..."

Wigglytuff danced around, "I hope we get some good news soon! I hope we get some good news soon!"

Team Skull did not look at all amused as Wigglytuff broke into what sounded like song. Skuntank simply said, "Uhh, Guildmaster..."

"What's the matter, friend?" Wigglytuff asked, as he turned around.

"We were thinking we should explore as well." Skuntank said.

"Oh?" Wigglytuff asked. "No, not at all! I can't trouble my friends like that! Besides, I enjoy company! Let Layne and Pyro do the exploring! We'll wait here for their report." With that, he returned to singing in hopes for good news.

Skuntank simply sighed. Koffing and Zubat came in and asked, "What do we do, boss?"

Zubat said, "I hate to say it, but this is getting really weird."

"Wimpy and Weasel will beat us to the treasure if we don't do something!" Koffing said.

Skuntank nodded, "So this is what we do." He took a step forward. "This leaves us no choice. We must take down Wigglytuff, right now. Then we'll take out those other two."

Zubat seemed a bit uncomfortable by this. "Are you sure, Boss?"

Koffing nodded, "Wigglytuff, plain creeps me out."

Skuntank simply said, "It's no big deal. Besides...rumor also has it that Wigglytuff possesses a very rare and precious treasure. If we knocked him out right here and now..."

"We could take it for ourselves!" Zubat said.

"Exactly." Skuntank said. "It was in the plan on mugging him for it anyway, so why not get it out of the way? Koffing, let's knock him out with our noxious gas."

Koffing laughed. "Yes, boss."

Wigglytuff had not heard a single word of the conversation, and was not aware that two pokémon were behind him. He was carefree and singing away. It was enough to make Skuntank shudder a bit for unknown reasons. But he straightened out. Wigglytuff had no idea what was coming. He was really in for a shock! Or a gas!

"No hard feelings, Wigglytuff, but you're going down, right now!"

Wigglytuff turned around, "Huh?"

As he turned around, he was met with a gas unlike anything anyone in the guild except for maybe two, had ever experienced...