The next three days were spent returning to Treasure Town and the Guild. Needless to say, the way back was traveled as one big group, as opposed to coming in different groups. The nights when they camped were entertaining to say the least. Big bonfires, food, stories (Layne had ended up telling the story of how he and Pyro had discovered Fogbound Lake at least three time), and just enjoying each other's company. The one thing that most pokémon found strange, yet were okay with, was the fact that Team Skull, had not been heard from since they had arrived in the forest to begin with.

It wasn't long before they would arrive at the guild again, on the fourth night. Upon returning to the guild, finally, every pokémon collapsed in their rooms. Everyone was thankful for Team Skull's absence at the moment. Time had done it's job of airing out the guild while they were out, and the Guild, though it still smelled a bit funky, did smell that much nicer.

The sleep of Layne was interrupted the next morning, like it usually was by Loudred's booming wake-up call. Layne sat up and rubbed his eyes. It had been a while since that had happened.

The cheer was brief, and quick as it once was. Chatot had little important things to say and that made the briefing that much quicker. Layne stretched and popped his neck as everyone departed for wok. Autumn walked beside him and said, "Back to work?"

"Tell me about it." Layne said as Autumn walked toward the guild ladder to go check the job boards.

Pyro smiled and said to Layne, "You're getting a little close to her, aren't you?"

Layne chuckled at that, and shrugged, "Possibly. We've definitely become much better friends than that of day one, but I know what you're asking, and I don't think that will really happen."

Pyro laughed a bit at that, which made Layne roll his eyes somewhat. Pyro then said, "I'll drop the subject. Shall we check out the boards?"

"Yes, lets..." Layne said.

But as they were taking their first steps, Loudred's booming voice roared again. "WHAT? Diglett, it's YOUR JOB to identify footprints! And you can't identify this one? EXPLAIN YOURSELF!"

"Jeez, Loudred!" Diglett called up from the hole in the ground, which led to the tunnel underneath the grid. "I'm trying to tell you, I've never seen this footprint before! I can't tell you what I don't know!"

Chatot flew over, "What's wrong?"

Loudred looked to Chatot and said, "Well, we have a visitor that Sentry Diglett cannot identify. Diglett is an outstanding sentry, and has not let me down before! IT's not so often he is stumped by footprints."

Layne walked over, and said, while crossing his arms, "He had a hard time with mine."

"Shut it, Layne." Loudred said. "When you're doing sentry duty, one can only wonder why you don't do any good! You take forever to identify your first visitors!"

"Ain't that the truth..." Layne said to himself, knowing Loudred knew nothing about the fact that Layne knew nothing about pokémon.

"Uhhh, Loudred?" Diglett's voice called up. "The visitor wants to meet with the Guildmaster. What should I do here?"

Loudred asked, "Well what's his name? I can't let him in until I at LEAST get a name!"

"His name? His name is...Dusknoir?"

Chatot and Loudred heard that. "Dus...Dusknoir?" Chatot squawked in astonishment.

"It can't be...THE world-famous Dusknoir!" Loudred said.

Layne's mind once again too a bit of brain wave at the name, but only slightly. He couldn't draw any conclusion from what he knew. He sighed. He really needed to find a way to learn more about himself.

A few minutes later, a very shady ghost looking pokémon drifted down the ladder of the Guild. Guildmaster Wigglytuff was there to greet him, with his usual smile on his face. "Thank you for visiting!" Wigglytuff said. "This is quite the honor."

Dusknoir shook his head, "Please. The honor is all mine! Standing here in the famous Wigglytuff Guild. Your guild certainly has built up quite the reputation."

Layne crossed his arms as he stood from across the room, eyeing Dusknoir. There was something about the guy that just didn't sit right with him. But why? He was obviously quite friendly with Wigglytuff, and was even laughing heartily with him.

Pyro was curious. "Loudred, Who is-"

"WHAT?" Loudred asked in a sharp whisper.

Pyro rolled his eyes and said, "I was about to ask you who that was, but never-"

"You don't know who Dusknoir is?" Loudred asked in shock. Bidoof, Autumn, and Sunflora also seemed a bit shocked at that question.

Autumn giggled, "And I thought you knew a lot about exploring."

"Dusknoir's a world-famous explorer!" Loudred said.

"Well I haven't heard of him until now!" Pyro said.

Sunflora shrugged, "That's not really too surprising. He's only made his name in recent times. Dusknoir came out of nowhere! He became famous, almost simply overnight!"

"What did he do?" Layne asked.

"His first act was a simple rescue mission of a party of nearly 27 pokémon lost in the desert. Some say on that mission, he managed to fight off an Entei, though the rumors are sometimes exaggerated." Sunflora said. "But his talents, I won't deny, as an explorer, are super-exceptional."

"He's that good, eh?" Layne said, still eyeing him. "Sounds like a real swell guy..."

"Oh it gets better! He does exploring unlike anyone else! He doesn't work in a team! All his exploring is completely solo!"

"I admit, I kinda work solo because he did." Autumn said, giving a small blush. "It does take a good amount of knowledge in your own skills to do exploring alone."

Bidoof simply said, "Oh it doesn't stop there!"

Loudred spoke, What's even more incredible, is just that! His wealth of knowledge! It is almost like there is nothing in the world that he doesn't know!"

Pyro was astonished, "He's that knowledgeable?"

"So the rumor goes." Sunflora said. "But he has used his knowledge to succeed on many explorations and missions in his career. He is revered by many in these achievements, that I don't doubt the rumors at all, really!"

"How often does Dusknoir visit?" Pyro asked.

"Bidoof answered that, "By golly, it's his first time!"

"Remember, Diglett couldn't identify him!" Loudred spoke. "And it would seem the Guildmaster has just met him for the first time too."

Layne chuckled. "Doesn't surprise me, though there's something about the Guildmaster that creeps me out, but it's cool that he is as friendly as he is to everyone he meets...even to the weirdos and enemies we have faced." Layne said this remembering his friendly moods to Team Skull, Uxie, and the Groundon Illusion the past expedition.

"It's how he is..." Loudred said.

They then turned their attention back to Wigglytuff and Dusknoir. "You mean you didn't find anything?"

Wigglytuff shook his head, "Not a thing."

"I see." Dusknoir said. "That must have been quite a disappointment for the Guild."

Wigglytuff nodded. "Yes, the expedition was a complete waste of time. Didn't learn about a dang thing!"

Layne crossed his arms. "Wigglytuff sure knows how to...make a point."

"When I heard that the Wigglytuff Guild was mounting an expedition to find Fogbound Lake, I came hoping to hear about your latest...triumph."

Layne could have swore that there was more to it than that, but didn't mention anything. He didn't really see what all the fuss was about. Dusknoir. A great explorer. Hallelujah.

Wigglytuff repeated. "Didn't learn a thing."

"It's no trouble to me." Dusknoir said. "It gave me opportunity to visit the guild I have heard so much about. I plan on staying here in Treasure Town for a short while. It would honor me, if I would be allowed to visit you occasionally a bit during my stay. Not only for a bond of trust, but I've heard that the guild constantly receives the latest news. Good information would be a big help on future explorations I should undertake."

Layne once again just felt there was something more to it than that. It chilled him enough to make him shudder a bit. Why was he feeling this way?

"The pleasure would be all mine." Wigglytuff said. "You're not the only explorer to visit this guild. We have many exploration teams visit us, each day.. You are always welcome here!"

Wigglytuff turned to face everyone and called for attention. "Everyone! I'm sure you all know Dusknoir! He will be staying in Treasure Town for a while, so please mind yourself around him! He is quite famous and knowledgeable, so perhaps you could get some advice from him! But do keep in mind, that he is our guest, and to let him get comfortable. Let us not be a nuisance!"

The guild was murmuring in excitement. This to them was almost as exciting as the expedition in the first place. Chatot spoke up, "Now now! Our guest may be famous, but I hope no one's going to embarrass me or Wigglytuff by asking him for an autograph."

Dusknoir laughed, "Please. If it's an autograph they want, I will be happy to oblige. But as far as information goes, you flatter me. I have very little worth sharing. However, if I may be of any service whatsoever, I would be honored to help you. If you have anything to ask of me...do not hesitate."

And that was that. The Guild erupted in a cheer and the room's atmosphere became that much more exciting, but Layne had had enough of the meet and greet with this Dusknoir. "Pyro, we have training to do. Shall we please get on with it?"

Pyro looked at Layne, "That's the first time you've asked to get on with training, Layne. You feeling okay?"

Layne eyed Dusknoir, and said, "I'm fine and dandy. I want to get out of this room, now."

As they made their way up the guild ladder as Chatot dismissed them all, Pyro was said, "Layne, you're definitely not acting like your normal self. What's up?"

Layne sighed as he took a few jobs from the board and went to the entrance of the Guild, with Pyro in tow. "That Dusknoir guy creeps me out. All there is to it."

"He doesn't seem so bad." Pyro said as they left the Guild.

"Pyro, I'm sure. There's just something about him that just wigs me out." Layne sighed. "Let's just drop it. We have work to do."

Pyro was unsure but nodded. "Where are we off to today?"

"Apple Forest again. I picked up a few outlaws we will bring back."

Pyro shrugged, and said, "Sounds fine to me."

The next day after the morning briefing, Layne and Pyro were about to check the boards again when Chatot came over. "Layne Pyro."

Layne looked at Chatot, "What's up?"

Chatot spoke, "Before you two start work today, I'd like you both to run an errand."

Pyro was confused. "An errand?"

Layne remembered Bidoof briefly mentioning that a lot of his first duties involved simply Guild errands. Perhaps this was Chatot's personal way of personal punishment for Layne and Pyro for previous failures. Layne shook that thought away. It was a long time to be holding a grudge so simple. Layne asked, "What errand?"

"We'd like you to go to the Kecleon Marketplace to see if they plan on stocking Perfect Apples soon."

"How fitting..." Layne simply thought to himself. "so you want us to figure out if they plan on stocking Perfect Apples." Layne said. "May I ask why?"

Chatot said, "The Guild's storage holds many Perfect Apples...or it can. The Guildmaster however is known to raid the store room when no one's looking, and uses up our supply. We all know what happens if he is deprived of Perfect Apples."

"Tell me about it." Layne said, remembering the Guildmaster's tantrum on their failure to restock him, and how the Guildmaster chased his Perfect Apple in the forest not five days ago. But in the same way he had to hold his laughter, because he could only imagine what it looked like when Wigglytuff looked around, and then dove into the store room to steal more Perfect Apples. It certainly fit him.

"However," Chatot continued, "Having to search for a fresh load most of the time is a chore. We've been wanting the Kecleon Market to stock for a while now. Sending exploration teams to the forest is just too much of a hassle now."

"That or you're still upset with how the last restocking went..." Layne thought to himself.

Pyro spoke. "I see what you're saying. If the Kecleon Brothers started stocking them, we could simply go buy them instead of foraging!"

"Correct."

"Doesn't seem too difficult." Layne said. "And it shouldn't take long."

"Great! Way to take charge!" Chatot said.

Layne simply shrugged at than and looked to Pyro. "Let's get this over with."

They left the Guild and entered Treasure Town. Layne was skeptical to the whole thing. "It just seems like this job would be given to us, we failed to bring back some that one day."

"Oh Layne, let it go." Pyro said.

Layne Dusknoir sighed as they walked past a few stores. When the Kecleon Market came into view, Layne almost stopped when he saw Dusknoir having a conversation with the two brothers.

"What's he doing here?" Layne asked quietly.

"Layne," Pyro said. "Put your feelings aside. You don't even know him."

Layne sighed. "I guess you're right there. I don't know there's just something about him though, that gives me the willies..."

"Layne, if you want to report back to Chatot on how we failed again on a request involving Perfect Apples, I guess I'm down for that."

Layne chuckled and simply said, "Yeah, screw that. Let's just get this over with."

Layne and Pyro approached the market. Dusknoir saw them and turned. "Well hello there! If I'm not mistaken, you two are from the Guild, yes?"

Pyro smiled at the famous explorer and said, "Yes. We are Team Hydro Pyro."

"Hydro Pyro?" Dusknoir asked. "A rather curious name, but fits you both."

"What are you doing in town, Dusknoir, sir? Shopping?"

"What? No, no no. Simply enjoying a chat with the Kecleon Brothers."

Kecleon-G spoke up. "I called him over! I simply had to talk with him, after all he is so very famous. And well, we started a conversation. And what a talk! He is so worldly and wise, it is enough to make me want to change my color!"

"Lovely..." Layne said, trying not to speak much. He wasn't so sure why. Perhaps being near an explorer of such high reputation made him feel somewhat embarrassed.

"So the rumors are true?" Pyro asked. "You certainly seem as knowledgeable as they say."

Layne sighed, and said, "Pyro, Chatot is waiting."

"Oh yeah! Kecleon, we came to ask you if you were planning on stocking Perfect Apples in the near future."

"Perfect Apples?" Kecleon-P repeated. "Sorry to disappoint you, but no we do not have any plans to stock those."

"Pity." Layne said. "That will make Chatot fluff his feathers, no doubt."

That's when two familiar voices were suddenly heard. "Azurill hurry!"

"I'm coming, Marill! Wait for me!"

The two brothers with whom Layne and Pyro helped not too long ago were running past the shop. Kecleon-G called out, "Marill and Azurill! Hello to you both!"

The brothers stopped, and smiled when they saw the Kecleon Brothers, and Hydro Pyro.

"Oh hi, Misters Kecleon!" Azurill said.

"And Team Hydro Pyro, too!" Marill said. Marill had not easily forgotten how much Layne and Pyro had done to ensure Azurill's safety.

"What's up, boys?" Layne asked. "Why the sudden rush?"

Dusknoir gave Layne a look, but as soon as it came it left, and Layne did not notice it at all.

"I'm sure you remember the item we've both been looking for, right?"

"Briefly." Layne said, remembering how Drowzee had claimed to have found their item, which was a bold-faced lie.

"It's called a Water Float."

Dusknoir nodded in what seemed to be surprise. "A Water Float? You boys have quite the item."

Marill nodded, "We were using it to help teach my little brother how to swim better, but we lost it a while back. We've been looking for such a long time."

"It was then," Azurill said, "That someone said they saw a Water Float on the beach today!"

"Pyro and Layne smiled. "Good on you, boys!" Layne said. "At least it's much closer than Mt. Bristle!"

"Yeah, we're rushing there now!"

"Well don't let us stop you. Hurry...huh." Layne said trailing off.

"What's up?" Pyro asked.

"Could have swore I saw...two pokémon listening in. Oh well." Layne said shrugging. "Let's not delay Marill and Azurill anymore. Good luck, boys."

Marill nodded, "Yep! Let's go Azurill!" And with that, they ran off.

"I've been wondering how their search was going." Pyro said.

"Hmm." Layne said. "Well we can't keep Chatot waiting. Shall we go?"

Pyro nodded.

Dusknoir said, "It was a pleasure meeting the both of you."

Layne nodded, "...The honor was all ours..."

"What? They have no plans to stock Perfect Apples?"

Layne shrugged. "That's what I said."

Chatot sighed. "What am I going to do now?"

Pyro said, "Uhh, do you want Layne and I to go to Apple Woods to go get some-"

"After last time's failure? You must be joking!"

"Nope, he hasn't forgotten, that's for sure." Layne thought to himself. Oh well. They went to Apple Woods yesterday, and Layne didn't want to go there again.

"Forgive me." Chatot said. "You both were outstanding on the recent expedition, and you both have outperformed us all in so many ways, but that incident, is just so hard for me to let go of for me."

"That traumatic, huh?" Layne asked quietly crossing his arms.

"I have no choice." Chatot said. "I will go for the Perfect Apples myself. Carry on with your usual duties as you normally do."

Layne sighed as he and Pyro went for the ladder. "You know..." Layne said, "This place sometimes just confuses me."

That night at dinner, Chatot made an announcement. "Before we start eating, I have an announcement to make."

As before, the guild met Chatot's action to hold dinner, with great disapproval, and they made vocal noises to make him well aware of their disapproval. "Order!" Chatot said. As everyone calmed down, they focused their attention on Chatot.

"We've just received news, that another Time Gear has been stolen."

"What?" Everyone asked in shock. Everyone's minds immediately went back to their expedition at Fogbound Lake.

Chatot knew this and said, "Worry not, for this Time Gear was not the Time Gear in Fogbound Lake. Our resources say it was a Time Gear from a place called Limestone Cavern. As you all know, this is the second Time Gear to be stolen in a very short amount of time. Things would get worse should a third Time Gear be taken. I must remind you all of one very important thing. I have full confidence in each of you, but I must make one thing clear. You must never tell anyone of what we witnessed during our expedition. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes!" The Guild replied.

"Eeek! I would never forget the promise we made to Uxie!"

"I don't have a big mouth!" Loudred said.

Layne half expected a retort to that, but no one said anything.

"Okay! Okay! Please! Everyone quiet! Please, quiet!" Everyone stopped talking, "You may start eating."

Layne barely ate anything. Another Time Gear was stolen? Layne couldn't think straight, and ended up going to bed early that night. Pyro soon joined him and asked if he was okay.

Layne shrugged it off and said, "A lot's on my mind. There's so much that's happening that I feel I should perhaps know something about, but..." Layne sighed. "It's just all happening too fast."

"Perhaps some sleep will do you some good." Pyro said.

"So another TIme Gear has been stolen..." Layne said.

"I don't understand it either." Pyro said. "I mean, who could be stealing them? What would they want with them?"

"When I was at Fogbound Lake, I saw a Time Gear for the first Time, Pyro...I haven't told you this, but at the sight of it, I felt my heart begin to race with what I can only guess is anticipation. Do you think...forget it."

"What do you mean?"

"I would have guessed there was some kind of connection. I just don't see one."

There was a silent moment, and then Pyro spoke again, "It seems like it's been a while since we've been to Fogbound Lake, though in reality it's only been about a week or so. I still can't get that view we had out of my mind."

Layne sighed and curled up on his bed. "It was indeed, a great view..."Layne said drifting off to sleep.

It was well into the night. Uxie stood at Fogbound Lake's edge. He was deep in thought. An intruder had just defeated his illusion of Groundon. There had to be a connection. A week ago, the visitors he had...he had entrusted them to keep this location a secret. Uxie knew he'd have future intruders, but this was too soon.

"I knew it." he said as he felt the intruder's presence behind him. "I should not have trusted them. So soon after they leave...here you stand."

The pokémon behind him said nothing.

"You are the thief, who has been stealing the Time Gears." Uxie said, turning to face his intruder, "You know, I should have done it. I should have taken their memories when I was given the chance. I was foolish not to."

The pokémon stood in the shadows. "I do not know what you speak of." He finally said. "But if you are talking about what I think you're talking about, then you are wrong. No one except myself, has led me here. No one has ever told me about this place. I've known about it, for a long time now. I've also known about the presence of a Time Gear here, for quite a while as well, and it is essential that I have it."

Uxie tensed. "You are not taking anything from this place thief! In fact, I will be taking your memory shortly."

The pokémon stood unphased. "I have no quarrel with you, but I am taking it with me. I am in dire need of it, for reasons, beyond your understanding."

"You will not take it!" Uxie said unleashing an attack at the thief, which still stood in the shadows.

The thief jumped up. As he jumped up, Uxie got one glance at who he really was. A grass pokémon, which resembled a lizard perhaps. He was quick, agile and strong, because his next attack was all he needed. Uxie's power was drained from their earlier battle involving the illusion. With one attack, Uxie fell to the ground unconscious. The grass pokémon looked at Uxie then dove into the lake. He dove for the bottom, and quickly retrieved the Time Gear. As he surfaced, Time began to slow around him. He quickly swam for the surface, as Time's paralysis began to expand. He was about to leave, when he took one last look at the unconscious Uxie.

He seemed to remember something from a while back as well. He sighed, and picked up the unconscious body. He would leave the lake, and leave the body outside the area of Time's paralysis. Even if this pokémon would not have done the same for him...