I'd spent the night reading the journal more, getting little sleep. The not-amnesiac version of me had just told Treecko about what she could do, and I was right. She called it the "Ditto ability," and was against over-using it for fear of her secret getting out. Not to mention it was harder for her to shift into the stronger Pokémon, which were the final evolution and the Legendaries. That's what it was painful to change to a Charizard... not to mention that I'm not specifically built for that kind of change in my body structure.

I was snapped out of my daze from Pika nudging me from behind. We were waiting for the rest of the Guild to assemble, we four were here earlier than normal, and I was using this time to space out. But I noticed that Chatot was about to address us, just as Pika said, "Come back to reality, Pearl."

Chatot seemed grim, and that caught my attention more than anything. Thoughts of my journal and my history were gone in a heartbeat. "Er," Chatot began, clearing his throat to get everyone's attention -- as if he hadn't with his grim expression anyway. "Everyone, listen up. I have an important announcement to make." He took a breath, pulling a Wonder Map out of his under-wing pouch, and unfolding it before continuing. "Far to the northeast, then farther into its outermost reaches..." He pointed to a wooded area on the map. "Right there, that's Treeshroud Forest. And there, time has apparently stopped..."

The entirety of assembled Pokémon gasped, exclaiming in disbelief and horror. I was still trying to understand how time could be stopped, but I understood that this was no lie.

When one of the other members, louder than the rest but not louder than Loudred, asked if it was true, Chatot went on. "Yes, that is, unfortunately, correct, Corphish... Time has come to a standstill in Treeshroud Forest. The wind, the clouds, they are motionless. Dew, even in midair, will not fall, nor will the leaves they fell from."

Nervous conversation began among us. All I could do was glance at each of my clan-mates in shock, and they returned the gaze.

"It's unthinkable!" one Pokémon exclaimed.

"Yes," Chatot agreed solemnly. "The unthinkable has happened." Every Pokémon turned their attention back to Chatot. "Why has time stopped in Treeshroud Forest?" he asked us. No one said a word. "Well, it's because Treeshroud Forest's Time Gear was... stolen."

More confused exclamations erupted from our crowd. Loudred was the loudest, as ever. "I don't get it, though! Why would ANYONE take a Time Gear?!"

Chatot started fluttering his wings for silence. "Quiet, everyone!" Again, attention was returned to him. "Officer Magnezone has already started an investigation. It's hard to believe that anyone would dare steal a Time Gear, I know. But if one can be stolen, the others may also be in danger as well. The officer asked to be notified immediately if we notice any suspicious characters. So keep that in mind. Let us know if you notice anything, or anyone. That is all." He tried changing his demeanor from the serious air he had to a cheerier one, though the effect was lost on all of us as we did the normal morning cheer, and everyone dispersed to their jobs.

"Hey, Pika and Pearl, come here," Chatot said to us. "Hex and Kip, you too." After a glance between ourselves, we went to him. "You two," he began to Pika and I, "you've become quite good at your work. I'm impressed with your capture of Drowzee. That was very admirable! ♪ And your rescue of Hex and Kip went smoothly, smoother than I would have expected from rookies on their first rescue. So!" he exclaimed cheerfully, looking each of us in the eyes before we went on. "You will finally be assigned a mission worthy of a proper exploration team."

Pika looked ecstatic, he was obviously thrilled at this news. "Really? Yay!"

Chatot nodded. "And Hex and Kip will be going along, as well, since this is a place I wouldn't normally send rookies on their first official exploration, but I do think you two are ready. Now, look here on my map, I'll show you where you four are going to explore." Chatot stepped onto his Wonder Map, careful not to rip it with his talons. "Now, I know you know how to use this. You know where Treasure Town is, the cave down at the beach, and a few other places that were mentioned in jobs. You see this waterfall here? The one that is the beginning of a river, and that feeds into the bay?"

Pika and I nodded.

"This is, in all appearances, just a normal waterfall," he continued. "But we've received word that the waterfall may conceal a secret. That's where you four come in." He glanced up at us, as if to make sure we were listening. "We want you lot to investigate the waterfall and determine what's there." Stepping off his map, and folding it up, he looked us all in the eyes again. "Do you understand your objective?"

"Yes," we chorused.

"Good! ♪" Chatot seemed satisfied, nodding to himself. "I'll leave you all to thoroughly investigate the waterfall! ♪"

I was looking forward to this, though I was wary about my tail-flame. I was about to bring this up with the rest of the team, but I saw Pika quivering. Chatot noticed as well.

"What's wrong?" he asked, curiosity in his voice laced with concern. "You're shivering"

Pika didn't respond, his eyes wide.

Chatot seemed to take this as a bad thing, and I couldn't blame him, the rest of us did, too. "Are -- are you alright?" he asked urgently, his feathers getting a bit ruffled.

"Yes," Pika finally got out. "I'm okay. It's just -- the anticipation, it's making me nervous and excited. This is the first time Pearl and I get to go on a real exploration, go on an exploration with the rest of our team as true equals. I'm just worked up a bit..." he turned to me, and I could finally see his eyes were wide in excitement. "Oh, I feel like I'm going to burst from the excitement!" he exclaimed. "Let's do our best for our first mission, Pearl!"

I laughed. "Next time, don't give us all a heart attack, Pika."

Hex nudged us, a look of amusement on her face. "Alright, alright, let's go! We're wasting daylight!"

We all went up the ladder to the second floor, and Chimecho floated over to us. "I know I spoke with you two," he glanced at Kip and Hex, "about your allies before, but with your new official members of your team, I'd like to explain it to them."

"Oh, that's right!" Hex turned to Pika and I. "What Chimecho means by 'allies' is that when in the mystery dungeons, Pokémon you've defeated may want to join us." Turning back to Chimcho, she continued, "I'll let Chimecho fill you in on the rest."

Chimecho took a breath. "Not long before you two joined the Guild, I began what I call the Chimecho Assembly. This allowed exploration teams who are affiliated with Wigglytuff's Guild to take on other Pokémon without them needing to be part of the Guild per se. This means that anything that they do, if it turns out to be bad, it's on the team they 'belong' to, not the Guild. This is the only way I could get Chatot to allow it," he added hastily. "So far, there have been no problems, so don't worry. Also, Hex and Kip, there's a new place opening up soon by the Crossroads, called Spinda's Café. Would you all be okay if the other members of your team were to wait in there instead of by the watering hole? It would be much better if they could be allowed to relax before the explorations."

"Good idea," Kip said without hesitation.

Hex nodded. "I can't wait for it to open up, I wonder what it will be like!"

Kip laughed. "Excitable as usual."

Hex nudged him. "Oh, tell me you're not excited for it to open."

"And I thought you were telling us to stop wasting daylight," I joked to Hex.

"Oh!" she said. "That's right! Talk to you later, Chimecho, these two finally have their first mission from Chatot!"

Chimecho watched us all with amusement. "Good luck, and have fun! The explorations are about the experience, not the loot you bring back!"

"Not that treasure hurts," Kip joked back.

We all bade Chimecho goodbye and climbed up the ladder.

The day was bright, and there was a slight wind. It was beautiful weather.

As we walked down the stairs to the Crossroads, Hex dashed away. I was so sure she was going to go too fast and trip, but she never did. What she had run to, though, was a sign, and a dark stairway that led underground.

"Guys, Spinda's Café is opening soon!" she called excitedly. "I bet they're finishing up the decorations and whatever they need in there."

I tried peering into the dark underground. "Maybe. Now I want to see what this place will be, too."

"Guys!" Pika called. "Let's go! I want to investigate the waterfall!"

Hex was the last one to leave the dark stairway that led to the unfinished cafe.

All we had to do was follow Serenity River to the waterfall, and that didn't take too long to follow. Not to mention the roar of the falls when we were close enough.

The waterfall was huge, and the river split between a landmass, one that we followed, and the other that went in a different direction. Some of the water splashed us, the force of the falling water seemed quite intense from looking at it alone.

"So this is the waterfall that supposedly has a secret!" Pika called over the waterfall. He began to walk toward the walls, and stuck his paw in the water. He immediately yelped and recoiled, bounding back toward us. "The water's coming down hard!"

"I could have told you that," Kip replied. "It's so loud, it would be unusual if it weren't!"

"Then you try!" Pika said. "You're the water-type!"

Kip nodded, and bounded casually up to the falls. It looked like he was going to try jumping into the current. Right as he made contact with the water, though, it threw him back from the force. I ran up to him, he was far enough from the falls, and helped him up. I of course got water on my talons from the waterfall, and it was cold. "You alright?" I asked, raising my voice over the rushing water.

He nodded and stood up. We both walked back to Hex and Pika. "No good," Kip said to them. "The current's too strong. Do any of you have any ideas?"

I shook my head along with the rest. But when I stopped, my vision didn't stop moving. "Whoa," I said to myself, and no one heard me. I opened my talons at my sides, trying to keep my balance. When my vision stopped moving, though, it began to go static-y, like at Treasure Town. I sat on the ground, catching everyone's attention. My stomach did flips, the static too over my vision, and, I didn't hear the rushing water anymore.

There was the silhouette of a Pokémon, where we were on the land mass at the base of the falls. It was later in the day, the sun hidden, so I couldn't see the Pokémon clearly... but was it a Wigglytuff?

It was walking away from the torrent, then turned back around to face it. Taking a breath, it rushed at the water, splashing where it had leapt from with the water. The vision carried me through with the Pokémon, and it landed, splashing water on a secret path that was on the other side of the falls. There was a cave, and the Pokémon headed into it.

I opened my eyes. By now, the rest of them understood what happened, but they were confused. What was there to see? There was no contact with another Pokémon, aside from Kip. "I had a vision," I yelled to them. "I saw a Pokémon run through the falls, and land on a secret path behind it! There is a cave behind this waterfall!"

They exchanged glances. "Let's move away from the falls a bit," Kip said. "We don't need to yell, then."

I got up, at first my moves were hesitant, in case anything happened to continue the vision. Nothing happened, so I followed them a bit away from the waterfall, and repeated what I had said to them.

"Interesting," Kip said. "Do you know what the Pokémon was?"

I shrugged. "It was essentially a silhouette, but it did look familiar..." Since I wasn't sure about what the Pokémon was, I didn't mention I thought it was possibly our own Guildmaster. "The point, though, is that there either was or is a path behind there."

"What I don't get," Pika began, "is what you saw. With Azurill and Drowzee, that didn't happen yet. But this seems to have happened, right?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "I guess it could still happen, but there is a possibility that it hasn't, and that I saw the past."

Hex glanced at the waterfall. "Well, there's one way to find out, isn't there?" she said. "We've got to jump through the waterfall."

I glanced at my tail. "Maybe Chatot shouldn't have sent me with you guys, I can't jump through or my tail-flame will go out."

Kip looked at me, surprised. "You can shift to another form, though. You can become a different Pokémon."

I gave a half-smile that probably didn't meet my eyes. "I know I can change to a Charizard. I don't know if I can shift to another Pokémon."

His gaze grew in intensity. "Come on, you aren't about to give up. Choose another Pokémon, probably one that isn't a fire-type. You can do it, Pearl, I know you can."

"Um, okay," I replied dumbly. "I will." His words surprised me. It was almost as if he'd seen me shift before. But that was impossible, I was the one not from this dimension.

Shoving my other thoughts aside, I thought of the Treecko in the pictures I had. It was the first Pokémon to come to mind, and I thought it would be fine. However, after my body had finished its painful reconstruction -- not as painful as a Charizard -- I was struck by the unfamiliar form of my new body. "Oh," I gasped. "I have never been a Treecko before. Okay. Good to know." I turned to the falls, and nodded to myself, then faced the rest of Team PokeClan. "Okay, so because I was the one with the vision, I think I should go first. I'm not entirely sure is this was from the past or future... maybe the cave isn't there yet."

"No," Kip said firmly. "I'm the water-type. I can get carried away by the current without drowning. None of you can. And, Pearl, you are weak from your transformation anyway."

I rose my hands -- paws? -- in surrender. "Your funeral."

Kip laughed at me. "Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I do!" I replied indignantly. "I just think what you're doing is stupid."

"And what you were planning is less so?" he said, amusement in his voice.

I gave him a light shove. "Go swim, fish," was my answer.

Without another word, though an expression on his face that was saying all kinds of things about him being highly amused, he led the way back up to the waterfall. "Where did the Pokémon in your vision start?"

"Here." I pointed to a spot far enough away from the waterfall.

Kip took his place, and took a deep breath. "Alight, here I go." He ran without hesitation, no slowing down, and leaped through the water. Hex, Pika, and I looked around on the rushing torrent that went on either side of the land we were standing on. When he didn't resurface, we glanced at each other.

"He must have made it through!" Hex exclaimed. "Let's go!"

One after the other, we each ran through the falls. I was the last to go. "Why did he trust me so much?" I asked myself before running and leaping through the wall of water.

Everyone was drenched, and Kip seemed to be the only one who was unbothered by it. Hex was breathing small plumes of flame on her fur, but was careful not to set her ribbons and scarves on fire. Pika shook himself multiple times. I tries shaking myself, but the water and lack of warm sunshine made this dark cave so cold. I almost wanted to fall asleep...

"Pearl? Are you alright?" It was Kip. "Oh, I get it. Sorry about this, Pearl, I think you need warmth..."

     Only now he tried shaking off as much water as he could, before walking over and--

"Are you rubbing on me?" I asked in anger, or I tried to.

"What?" Kip asked. "You mumbled. Are you okay? You're not awake enough to talk clearly."

I was going to repeat myself, but I couldn't help saying, "You're warm," and tried to get closer.

"Ah. Hey, Hex," Kip called. "Pearl is a reptilian Pokémon now. I thought that was why she was acting sluggish. Come here and help her warm up, she's cold-blooded."

Kip moved away, and I almost fell over as I got cold again. I hadn't realized I was leaning on him, at least not so heavily. When Hex came over and shared her body heat with me, it was even better than Kips. Of course she is, I told myself. Vulpix is a fire-type, not to mention the flame inside one never goes out. I knew I had to shift again, or I'd never get through the cave without being stuck to someone's side, and that would hinder all of us. "I have to shift again, this isn't familiar or beneficial," I said. "This is unusual to me..."

I thought about another Pokémon. A Purrloin came to mind, and I felt my body shift. More flexible, more fur, smaller tail. I was already close to the right size, but still Hex flinched when the first snap from my bones could be heard, and maybe even felt, by her.

I was still cold, but I could function. Then a thought occurred to me. "Kip, you're an amphibian. How come the cold doesn't affect you like it did to me?"

Kip shrugged. "Maybe it's because I'm a water-type, and water is generally not the warmest environment. Maybe it's because I'm able to resist the hibernation due to being a Mudkip, instead of being a Treecko for the first time in a cold environment. I don't know," he said. "And you were a Charmander before, that is a naturally-warm Pokémon to be. You don't have to worry about heat, much the same way I don't have to worry about the cold water and damp areas."

I didn't understand it, but I made sure to keep it in mind. "Thanks for warming me up a bit earlier. I felt so tired..."

"Hibernation, probably," Kip said. "You were used to being a warm reptile. No problem."

Hex glanced between us. "So you're good now, Pearl?" she asked. I nodded. "Alright, let's head out, then. We still have to inspect the cave!"

I pulled out one of the apples Pika had said were more filling than I had assumed. I was starving after two transformations, so I hoped he was telling the truth. Of course he was, I scolded myself as I took a bite. It was juicier than a normal apple. Pika is a good Pokémon. Why would he lie to me? He won't.

We started toward the dark cave, Hex using Will-O-Wisps to help light the way. The plus and downside was that they weren't very bright.

I had limited night vision, so I stalked ahead of the purple flames.

"I think we should take the next left," Hex whispered, and the cave carried her voice enough to let me hear. I flicked my tail to let her know I heard.

The mystery dungeon exploration carried on like that. There weren't any Pokémon here, the mystery dungeon was deserted.

Finally, we came upon a place that was sparkling with gems, the air -- if possible -- heavier with moisture than the rest of the waterfall's secret cave. There was a huge gem, partially buried, on the far side of the cave, and smaller, paw-sized ones that were scattered around. The light was unreliable, but the big gem could have been a garnet or ruby, maybe a gem that was red with a hint of pink. Emeralds, sapphires, and many more gemstones were around, Hex and Pika grabbing as many as they could. I grabbed one or two amethysts, Kip didn't grab any at all. His gaze was fixed on the large, half-buried gem.

"We'll never be able to carry that back with us," he murmured to himself. "It's as big as we are!"

I nudged him. "Hey, I'm probably one transformation away from being able to carry that back with us, you know. Want to try and lift it together?"

He seemed to consider this a moment. "Better ask Pika. I use all four of my legs as, well, legs. You two have the closest thing to arms that we have."

I shrugged. "Alright. Hey, Pika!" Pika turned from collecting hexagonal gems. Looks like he found crystals, I thought to myself.

Another flashback, this time something less of a memory than a feeling. A feeling of familiarity.

Pika bounded over to me. "What's up, Pearl?" he asked.

I shook off the feeling and pointed to the large gem. "I can take it with us if we get it out. Want to get it out of the ground with me?"

"Sure! This is amazing, just imagine Chatot's face when he sees this!"

I smiled dryly. "If he sees this, he'll probably claim it as a reward, and it'll be the Guild's property. Though it would be entertaining..."

Pika smiled back at me, but brightly. "Maybe, but he'll be impressed with us. Especially since the giant gem, and many of these small ones too, are already cut! Though, I don't know what you'd do with such large gems other than cut them down more."

It did seem strange, but I shrugged. "That'll be to ask the Kecleon duo about. For now, let's move this giant gem."

Pika nodded, and we both walked over to it, one of us on each side. Hex stopped picking up the gems to watch us curiously, Kip just in front of her. "Ready?" Pika asked.

"Say the word, and I lift with you," I replied.

"Alright." I heard him take a few breaths, and I copied him. "Count of three. One, two, three!"

The gem seemed to budge. "It's coming--!" I began, before I could really feel it. Another dizzy spell, the tell-tale sign of a vision. I couldn't even warn him before I wasn't there anymore.

Or rather, wasn't there in the same time.

The Pokémon, this time I was more sure of it being Wigglytuff, was attempting to remove the giant gem from the ground, as we were. Being bigger, he had less trouble moving it -- but it didn't come out. Instead, a very loud click sounded, and he jumped away from it, looking all around him for what was activated. The echoing sound of water grew in volume, from inaudible to a roaring thunder. It was on him before he could rush back into the waterfall's caves, and swept him away.

Before I opened my eyes, I was screeching, "Rushing water, run!!" Someone grabbed my arm and tried hoisting me to my paws, but I heard the water. "There's water coming, don't you hear it?!"

"Pearl!"

My eyes finally focused, and the sound of rushing water faded. Hex, Pika, and Kip were all looking down at me. "Calm down, nothing's happened, the gem is just stuck in the ground." Pika was the one talking. "There's no water, we're far away from the waterfall, okay? Calm down, everything's fine."

I pushed myself up, my eyes darting around, to the right where the water came from in my vision. "Wigglytuff got swept away by the water when he moved the gem, now Pika and I moved it we need to get out of here now."

Pika glanced at the others. "Pearl, that may be so, but if it's true, the trap's been triggered already. And you're sure it was Wigglytuff? Guildmaster Wigglytuff?"

I nodded irately. "Yes, I thought he was the one who jumped through the falls. But that doesn't matter! Let's just get what gems we can and leave."

"Hold up." Hex's voice was commanding, and we all turned to her without question, in unison. "Even if the trap resets itself somehow, Wigglytuff survived it. He was alone, yeah?" I nodded again, trying to see where she was going with this. "We have four of us, and one of us is a water-type. Two, if you're up for another transformation," she added as an afterthought. "I think we should try getting the gem. We'd impress Wigglytuff if even he couldn't get it!"

Pika and Kip were nodding. I slowly began to agree, though I wasn't too happy about it. "Alright, I guess Pika and I should give it another shot, then, huh?"

Hex was happy at my response. "If you wouldn't mind, thank you."

Pika and I once again took up spots on the side of the gem. "You call it, Pika," I said.

"One," he began again," two, three!"

This time when we lifted, it came out almost easily.

Too easily.

I heard the rushing water, no illusion this time. The others glanced around. They hear it, too! "Everyone, hold onto each other!" I ordered. Kip went for Hex, Pika and I went for each other. I was just thanking that our bags were secure enough to not lose anything when we were slammed with the water.

Aside from being thrown around in the torrent, I was only aware of Pika holding onto me, and me onto him. I need air, I thought to myself. I couldn't figure out where the current was going, but I knew fighting it wouldn't do a thing, so I tried to distract myself from my lungs.

Suddenly, the world outside my eyelids was bright again, and I risked opening my eyes.

We four were being spout out of a geyser, and we were still going higher in the air. I heard screams from the others, and I heard myself, too, before I took a huge breath.

I heard splashes, then felt warm water as I made a splash with Pika. When we surfaces, other Pokémon were around us, watching us curiously, all of them seeming relaxed. Thank Arceus I wasn't a Charmander through all that, I thought to myself. Thank Arceus I'm not a real Pokémon.

Hex, although not looking thrilled at being wet, seemed glad. "Oh, yes. I've always wanted to come here."

Kip and I seemed to be the only ones who were confused. "Where are we?" he asked.

Pika and Hex looked at him in surprise. "You don't know about the hot spring?" they asked in unison. "This place is essentially the pinnacle of relaxation!"

"Um, excuse me," said a small voice. We all faced it, and it turned out to be another Pokémon, but I didn't recognize what he was. he was a small bear, almost like a stuffed bear, with a crescent moon design on his forehead. "Are you all okay? You plopped down from nowhere! You startled us all..."

"Try doing what we just did," I muttered to myself.

"Anyway," Hex interrupted, "the hot spring is wonderful. Even fire-types like it!"

"Indeed!" called an elderly voice. On one of the rocks, near the water, was a turtle Pokémon, his shell seemingly made of stone, with holes like craters in them that emitted steam. "The hot spring also works wonders on tired muscles and creaky joints. Many Pokémon visit here. Tell me, youngsters, do you have a map? I can show you where it is."

"Yes!" Hex exclaimed excitedly. "Please do!" Hopping out of the water next to the turtle Pokémon, she stuck her head in her bag, retrieving the Wonder Map, and laid it out for him.

He pointed to a place on the map. "Here, see the place that looks like steam is coming from it? That is where we are."

"Wow!" Hex turned to us. "Guys, check how far we are from the waterfall!"

We all waded over to give it a look. "Wow," Pika said. "We came so far from the geyser!"

"My goodness!" the turtle Pokémon exclaimed. "The water carried you all that way? What a long journey that must have been! Let the hot spring wash away your fatigue before you make your way back home.

"Yes!" Hex said again.

The rest of us glanced at each other. "I guess so," Pika said slowly. "But just a little, I want to get our success back to Chatot and Wigglytuff as soon as possible!"

After half an hour of relaxing, we were headed back toward Treasure Town and the Guild. When I was finally dry, or dry enough, I transformed back into a Charmander. We made it back a little before dinner, which I was thankful for. Three transformations in one day? I was starving.

However, we needed to see Chatot first, and report.

"Let me see if I've got this all straight," Chatot began after we finished explaining. The only details we left out were my transformations and my visions, and he didn't ask questions on how I survived any of that. "Behind the waterfall, there is a cave, and in the deepest part of that cave, there is a giant gem, with many smaller and varied gems littered around, like you've shown me here," he indicated with a wing to some gems Pika and Hex had offered. "When you pushed the giant gem just right, it triggered a trap of some kind, and, surprisingly, you were flushed off to the distant hot spring. Did I get that correct?"

We all nodded. "It's disappointing that we couldn't bring the gem back," Hex admitted.

"It was probably fake anyway," Pika reassured. "It was made for that trap."

Chatot's eyes were wide, staring at Hex. Then he started to flap his wings excitedly, and caid, "No, no, no! Emphatically no!" He glanced at Pika. "Your assumption is probably correct, but Hex! This is not disappointing! You four made a major discovery!"

"Oh!" Hex exclaimed. "That's right! We investigated the waterfall, and found a secret cave!"

Chatot let out a kind of cheerful whistle, one a bird Pokémon could only do. "After all, the presence of the waterfall cave wasn't known by any Pokémon, until now! ♪ Your discovery of the waterfall cave is just outstanding! The Guildmaster must be told!"

Kip nudged me lightly. "Would you like to tell him about the visions?" he whispered to me.

I thought a second, and decided, "Yes, I should probably tell him." I faced Chatot. "Hey, Chatot? I don't think we were the first Pokémon to discover the waterfall cave. You see, the only reason we decided to jump through the waterfall was because I had a vision about a Pokémon doing that. And we also knew about the trap before triggering it with the giant gem, but we were betting that the trap was either survivable or a one-time thing, or both, because I saw the same Pokémon trigger it."

Chatot gave me a questioning gaze. "You saw the Pokémon trigger it? Did you see the outcome?"

"No, I didn't," I answered.

"Then how do you know the Pokémon survived?"

"The lighting wasn't great, but I could recognize the Pokémon a little. The first time I wasn't sure, but the second time I think I figured out who it was. And I believe it was Guildmaster Wigglytuff himself."

Chatot let out a startled squak and flapped his wings. "No, no, no! Emphatically no! That's inconceivable! If that was so, the Guildmaster wouldn't have ordered you to investigate the waterfall!"

It did make sense, but I know what I saw. "I promise, Chatot, I'm not making this up. The first vision is how we even found the cave!"

Chatot calmed down, smoothed a few feathers, then studied me. "Since you insist, I will confirm it with the Guildmaster..." He turned, started hopping away toward the cliff window, murmuring, "Why would they want to spoil their own discovery? How strange... Though, admittedly, I should be used to it by now... These apprentices are yet another strange crew, aren't they?"

Hex's ears twitched. "Did you say something, Chatot?"

"What?" Chatot turned, realizing he hadn't dismissed us. "Oh, nothing, nothing. Nothing at all!" he reassured. "Now, please, wait here while I discuss this peculiarity with the Guildmaster, if you will." He hopped away, through the doors the led to Wigglytuff's room, and they shut behind him.

"Pearl!" Hex hissed. "Why did you tell him that? No one needed to know another Pokémon was there already!"

I shook my head, about to answer, when Kip did. "She wants to know what this foresight and hindsight is that keeps telling her things. With the Guild, maybe she can find everything she doesn't know anymore."

Hex huffed out a small plume of fire. "You're right, you're right... It's probably better that Chatot knows, anyway, I guess."

The doors opened, and Chatot came hopping out. We waited for him to update us. "The Guildmaster took a minute to mull it over... then he said, 'Oh, memories! ♪ Sweet Memories! ♪ YOOM-TAH!' and danced around a bit before he continued, 'Yes, yes! When I think hard, maybe I did go there once!' and that was that. To sum it up... it's just as Pearl said. He has, indeed, already been to and named Waterfall Cave."

Hex seemed a bit disappointed, even though she already knew the truth. Pika seemed thoughtful. "It was a nice exploration exercise, but I wish we'd known this from the beginning."

Chatot nodded slowly. "The Guildmaster can be rather, uh, erratic at times... Even I can't fathom what goes on in his head, and I've been here a while! But you're right, this was a good exercise for such aa new exploration team. I shall expect your best effort tomorrow! ♪"

We were finally dismissed, and Chimecho called the Guild to dinner. The food was good, but I barely tasted it as I wolfed it down.

I sat, the moonlight on the two journals, as I wrote in one and read in the other. Other Pokémon were mentioned, but since I knew a bit about the Grovyle and Celebi, I only really paid attention to them. The others I probably would never see, as long as I was here.

The others were already settling down. We were disappointed that we weren't to be the ones to find Waterfall Cave, but it helped that we got a good amount of gems to either sell to the Kecleons or take to Duskull to safely store until we needed them. Pika seemed like he wouldn't be able to sleep, he was so happy to be on a mission for the Guild, even though it was a bust in the end. But he was happy anyway, and that alone made me smile.

Today was a good, long day. I found myself excited to see what tomorrow would bring.

❦ ✦ ❦ ✦ ❦
January 5, 2018
Hey guys! This one is a long one, just under six thousand words. I hope you all enjoy, and I'll try not to keep any of you waiting February 3! I'm going to try getting back on my publish schedule.

So I have seen some of you ship Hex (formerly Vul) and Kip. Fun ♪ I find it very entertaining when people we doing that in the past (albeit two people).

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed, and please give feedback! I wanted to get this one out as soon as possible, so I didn't really read through it as I normally would. Thank you guys, and happy new year!

Edit: Feb. 12, 2018
The part with Kip giving Pearl warmth has been bugging me, so I changed it to at least address the odd situation. No story changes.