I'm trying to be more active with this! Sometimes it's hard to write when I know I have actual assignments and coursework to do. Hopefully, the closer we get to the Expedition, the more enticing this will be. Thank you guys for sticking around, and don't forget to vote, and comment on something you thought! I read every comment!

By some miracle, we woke up back at the Guild: in our quarters, with our bags untouched, no one any more harmed than we had been before. It couldn't have been only a few hours since we were in the clearing in Apple Woods, and not very long since we had arrived at the Guild. We had a moment alone once we all woke up, equal looks of confusion on our faces.

     Chatot came hopping down the hallway in a hurry, not long after we all woke up and checked our things, demanding we come out and address our failed mission. He turned around and hopped away.

     We lined up outside the Guildmaster's chamber, as Chatot had demanded. Off to the side, not far from the ladder, stood Team Skull. Koffing and Zubat hovered a step behind Chief Stench, and each of them watched us with uninterested expressions.

     Then Chatot opened the Guildmaster's chamber doors, and hopped over to stand in front of us.

     "Explain yourself," he demanded. "I depended on you to get the Perfect Apples! Now..." he shuddered. "You assured me your team could handle the job!" he accused Hex.

     Out of the corner of my eyes, I tried to get a glimpse of Hex's expression. What I saw wasn't calm in her eyes, or defiance, but something closer to cold dignity. She unflinchingly met his gaze. "We got to the clearing and prepared to gather as many apples as we could carry," she reported. "Perfect Apples. There were many, ripe for picking. But that doesn't matter now. What matters is that we were ambushed by Team Skull."

     I held my breath, not daring to look at anything except Chatot. If anyone could make this claim and have him believe it, Hex had to be the one to do it. Thank Arceus that she was the one he saw as the leader.

     "They spewed a noxious fume that took us all down," Hex continued her report. "They made a show of helping us, but then turned on us for no reason. If you want someone to blame, it's them, and not me or my team."

     "Now, hold on there," Chief Stench interjected before Chatot could say a word. "Our toxic gas might have done what they said, but what really happened is that they weren't ambushed by us, but by other Pokémon who live in and protect Apple Woods."

     Chatot nodded, as if this made perfect sense.

     I could feel the fury of heat that wafted off of Hex. Outwardly, except for the excess heat, she showed no sign of anger.

     Chief Stench continued, "We rushed to help them -- as they had just admitted to -- and in the process, accidentally knocked them out with our poison combo. Just in time, too, as the Charmander was going to try climbing up the tree herself! With her tail-flame waving haphazardly!"

     Chatot turned his scathing eyes onto us, lingering on Hex as he addressed her, "Your teammates have had nothing but cruel and untrue things to say about Team Skull since they arrived only a couple days ago. I had thought better of you, individually, Hex," he chastised. "Don't let your teammates and their rumors cloud your judgement in our allies."

     Hex took a breath. "With all due respect, Chatot, what I said was the truth. We even discussed before we approached the trees that Pearl and I would stay well away from the trees, while Pika and Kip would take care of picking the Perfect Apples. We were and constantly are aware about the disadvantages of Pearl's flame is, and we took and continue to take the necessary precautions. These three attacked my team even as we tried to complete the mission you set us upon, and we tried despite the opposition we faced. Even with the opposition, we still kept well in mind the dangers and consequences of a forest fire," she added with emphasis. "Chatot, when have I ever lied to you? Or gave up on a mission willingly? Even before Pearl and Pika joined us, when have Kip and I ever displeased you with our results?"

     Chatot stopped glaring at us, though the look on his face was far from friendly. "Your teammates have changed your mind, as you are empathetic toward helping them succeed. But getting them on the expedition party is not your prerogative; it is the Guildmaster's. Keep this in mind. As for this whole mess, you four better stay away from the food tonight! No dinner! And leave your exploration bags near the Guildmaster's chambers, I don't want you eating any exploration rations. Dismissed!"

     Hex sighed and breathed a small plume of fire, bitterness burning in her eyes. "Come on, then," she said quietly to us, turning away. "Chatot doesn't want us around right now."

     We left our bags, as Chatot ordered. As we left for our quarters, I heard Chief Stench mentioning something about having brought back some Perfect Apples, "despite having to bring your apprentices back, as well." I suppressed a growl and hurried on.

     "Hex, you did good," Pika said softly. "Thank you for defending us." I saw Kip nod in agreement.

     "Team Skull messed with the wrong team," I added. "We'll show them."

     Hex stopped abruptly, her six curly tails hitting the ground forcefully. "No. They have Chatot wrapped around their claws. We have to wait for them to leave." I caught me in a steely glare. "I mean it, Pearl. We need to wait it out. All of us. We can't fight this point while they are guests in Chatot and the Guildmaster's eyes. They won't be here forever." She stomped off ahead, seething, leaving us three to exchange concerned glances.

     Hex already laid down in her bed, facing the wall, when we caught up. I couldn't blame her, the only sleep she got today was from being knocked out with poison. The heat that wafted off of her felt almost suffocating, but the breeze outside helped keep us cool enough to breathe easy.

     Kip motioned for Pika and I over to the opposite corner of our quarters. "I knew it would be a trying day when Hex got out her fire stone, but I didn't think it would be this bad," he whispered, shaking his head. I glanced at Hex's paws and saw a blue stone between them.

     "That's a fire stone?" I asked. "But it looks like a water stone."

     He shook his head at me. "No, it was her sister's. She is a shiny Pokémon, and the stone changed when she evolved. She doesn't often wear it because it's so odd, but when she does, it's when she is stressed or anxious. I've only seen her with it one other time, before you two came to the Guild." He glanced at her. "She'll need space for a while. She's never disappointed Chatot before, much less to this extent."

     "I'm glad I don't like him," I said. "I feel bad for Hex, though. We should take her out at some point. Oh you know what, I have an idea."

     "What is it?" Pika asked, sparing a quick glance at Hex's back.

     "I'm going to get her something from the Kecleons' shop," I decided.

     Kip shook his head. "Pearl, we are confined to the Guild until Chatot decides otherwise."

     "I'll show them that I'm not buying food or trying to trick them. Chatot can send Loudred with me if he wants, or come himself."

     Kip studied me for a moment. "Alright," he said, without conviction. "Just don't go all fiery on him, alright? Promise?"

      "Promise," I agreed. Before I could change my mind, I walked out of our quarters and down the hall.

     Team Skull was gone, instead Chatot was conversing with Sunflora. When he noticed me, his scowl returned. I made sure to obviously walk toward Chatot, so he couldn't think I was trying to sneak out in broad daylight. I could do better than that, even with my tail.

     Sunflora turned to see the reason for Chatot's scowl, I saw a momentary flash of uncertainty on her face until she saw me. He couldn't be mad at you in a million years, Sunflora, I thought. You're a good Pokémon, and you get along with him. Though, that was what I had thought about Hex before today. Sunflora, in contrast to Chatot, smiled warmly and greeted me pleasantly.

     "Pearl," Chatot warned, "go back to your team's quarters. You're not going to change my mind about dinner tonight!"

     I held his gaze steadily. "I'm not trying to. I wanted to get something for Hex after our mission today. I don't care if you send someone with me or escort me yourself in order to make sure I'm not trying to buy any food items, but I want to do something nice for my teammate"

     Chatot's sour expression prepared to dismiss me again, and I was wondering how I would manage to sneak out before the Kecleons' shop closed, when Sunflora piped up.

     "I can go with her, Chatot. I know you're busy planning the expedition."

     He looked uncertain, wanting to dismiss me I was sure, but his expression softened at Sunflora's kind face. "Very well." To me, he added, "Don't try anything, Pearl, or I'll have your whole team expelled from this Guild! I'll want you to show me all that you purchase, as well."

     "Thank you, Chatot," I said, and for once, meant it.

     Sunflora led the way out of the Guild. Once we climbed the last ladder, I said, "Thanks, Sunflora. There's no way he would have let me go if you didn't offer to walk with me."

     Sunflora beamed at me as we walked toward Treasure Town. "Of course!" Then it gave way to a look of confused concern. "But you guys aren't having dinner? What happened?"

     I sighed. "Chatot gave us a mission to restock the Perfect Apple supply for Wigglytuff, but when we got there, Team Skull ambushed us. They twisted the story around so that they would seem innocent and responsible, and us to seem incompetent with hateful, untrue accusations. He believed them over Hex, and he wasn't happy with her. And, honestly, nor she with him."

     "Oh my gosh!" Sunflora exclaimed. "Poor Hex. I like Chatot, but I get how not a lot of the other apprentices always agree. He's very strict and inflexible at times."

     I nodded. "Yeah, I can see the reverse," I said. "I get how he's earned Hex's respect, but he seems to always get under my skin." I paused. "Never mind the fact already that she got no sleep last night, the Sleep Powder thing kept her intuition yelling that something was wrong. That's why I'm getting her something, I'm hoping the Kecleons' have a journal or something for her. All that combined for a tough day... I'm hoping it will give her an outlet and cheer her up."

     Sunflora nodded sympathetically, then waved. We arrived at the Kecleons' shop. "Hi, Kecleon and Kecleon!" she said cheerfully.

     "Hello there, Sunflora and Pearl!" Green greeted.

     "What can we do for you two today?" Blue asked.

     Sunflora looked at me expectantly.

     "I wondered if you guys might have a couple of things," I said. "Do you have a journal, and a plain ribbon? They're for Hex. We- we had a bit of a rough mission today, and I want to cheer her up."

     They nodded. "Do you have a color preference for the ribbon?" Blue asked.

     I thought a moment. I thought about Hex's blue fire stone, but a bit of information also surfaced from my memories. At the time of its birth, Vulpix has one white tail. The tail separates into six separate tails as it grows. "How about a white one?"

     The brothers shared a glance, and Green nodded. "We do have some white ribbons."

     "And here's that journal," Blue said, handing me an orange-brown journal. It had a fiery emblem on the front. "I hope this is what you're looking for?" Green handed me a white ribbon.

     I nodded to both Kecleons and smiled. "These are perfect, thank you!"

     I handed them the Poké and Sunflora and I started walking back. Once we got to the crossroads, I stopped. "Hold on," I told Sunflora. "I want to tie the ribbon around the sides of the journal, to make it look more like a gift."

     "Do you know how?" she asked curiously.

     I hesitantly shook my head. "But it can't be that hard, right?"

     "There is a trick to the bow, if you want it to look fancy," she replied. "I can do it for you, if you want!"

     "Would you?" I asked. "I want it to look nice, she loves her tail ribbons."

     "Of course!" Sunflora started up the path toward the Guild. "I can show you once we get inside, we can sneak into my team's room and do it quickly."

     "You are a life saver, Sunflora," I said, smiling.

     After Chatot checked the journal and the ribbon, with Sunflora's vouching for my purchases, we went into her room and she showed me how to do the ribbon. Once she was done, the journal looked ready to give to Hex.

     "That looks great," I said quietly. "Thank you so much!"

     "Oh my gosh, Pearl, don't mention it! I hope it cheers up Hex."

     I nodded. "I hope so, too."

     "I'll come by to see if I can't help cheer her up."

     I smiled at her, then took the journal. When I got back to our room, Kip and Pika both motioned to be quiet -- Hex was sleeping.

     I held up the journal with a smile, and they silently shared in my happiness of success. I placed it over behind my nest, and hoped that Hex wouldn't see it if she woke up.

     We waited a little bit in silence, not wanting to wake Hex, watching the sun from our window. My thoughts surrounded the odd things I'd read in my past journal -- it stayed adamantly and oddly vague, except for three times. One of the first entries, when I first met Grovyle -- at that time, he was a Treecko -- and when we were captured by a Dusknoir and his army of Sableye, that instance had my usual amount of detail. The second time was when Grovyle evolved, where evolution works differently in this world than my own. The third, which I kept coming back to reread and think over for the millionth time, was a vivid nightmare, at the end of the journal, with unfamiliar names and Pokémon. All of it happened in what I had termed a world of darkness. I mentioned Time Gears once, early on -- but that was all, before I had to be careful and cautious.

     World of darkness, I wondered. A place without time. So how did I get here? That one wasn't my world of origin, either.

     Chimecho floated into our room. She saw Hex sleeping, so she motioned for the rest of us to come with her. We got up and followed her out.

     "Chatot told me to come and get you, but I heard from Sunflora that Hex needs the rest," Chimecho said. "Chatot wants you present for the meal, and you're not allowed to eat. I'm sorry," she added. "You're to stand in the hallway and not say a word until dinner is done."

     "It's okay," Pika said. "You're just doing as you're told to, just like us."

     Chimecho apologetically smiled to him. "It won't be so bad," she promised.

     Dinner was as quiet as it had been last night. This time, though, not only did Sunflora leave early, looking nauseous, but so did Bidoof not long after. It seemed like no apprentice wanted to stay. We moved to the side when they walked by.

     Instead of leaving when we were normally done, we had to wait until everyone had left -- and the last ones at the table happened to be Chatot, Guildmaster Wigglytuff, and Team Skull. It was a mini-eternity, waiting for Chief Stench and his cronies to leave. Wigglytuff, as cheery as ever, left soon after them.

     It was just Chatot and us.

     "Where is Hex?" he asked scathingly. "All of you were to attend dinner."

     "She is sleeping," Kip said calmly. "She didn't sleep last night, she had a bad feeling all night and heard noises that suggested some Pokémon were walking around. She was exhausted."

     "She's been asleep since you dismissed us earlier," Pika added.

     Chatot glared at them for a moment, and then turned to me. "Anything to add?"

     "No, Chatot," I said, resisting the use of a sarcastic tone. "Hex is asleep, and she has been for a while."

     "It seems like you found something to add, after all," he said sarcastically. "Dismissed."

     We walked back to our room, away from the leftovers that the others had left so tantalizingly on the table, that Chimecho would return to take care of.

     Hex was awake by the time we came back, but she hadn't moved since. The journal I got for her sat, unnoticed, by the window, but she faced the opposite wall. She didn't look in our direction when we entered the room.

     Pika, Kip, and I shared a glance, and then Kip silently pointed to himself and walked toward Hex. They started talking in low tones, mainly Kip, while Pika and I gave them space.

     "Why don't you bring out the journal?" Pika whispered. "She's really in a black mood, and it doesn't seem like Kip is having any luck with it."

     "Maybe I should do it in a little bit," I replied, "I don't know if it's a good idea anymore."

     Pika gave me a friendly shove. "It can't hurt, and she needs something good to happen right now."

     I nodded, realizing Pika had a point. I quietly went over to where I'd left the journal, and walked into Kip's line of sight while staying out of Hex's, holding up the journal.

     He smiled. "Hey, Hex, Pearl has something for you."

     Hex, with her tired, demotivated gaze, gave me her attention. Her eyes locked on my face first, and then jumped down to the journal and the white ribbon in my talons. Confusion, and little sliver of happiness, lit in her face.

     "I went out and got this before the evening meal." I held out the journal to her. "I thought that you should have a journal," I rambled, "you know, because the expedition is coming soon, and all the adventures we've had so far."

     She started smiling as I spoke, a shadow of bitterness lingering in her eyes, but once I finished she gave me a knowing smile. "You're sure it's not because of what happened today?"

     "I mean, yeah, it is," I admitted with a laugh. "But that doesn't make it sound as thoughtful!"

     Hex stood up, revealing the blue fire stone still between her paws, and walk over to me, nudging me affectionately. "It's more thoughtful, in my eyes. After all," she said, "it's a miracle that you were able to get out of the Guild at all!"

     I smiled. "That was luck and Sunflora. If it weren't for her, Chatot would have sent me right back to our room with more scathing words. And she tied the pretty bow for me," I added.

     "There's one more thing," came a gentle voice from the hall.

     We all turned in unison. Chimecho hovered just outside our room. She smiled warmly, then beckoned to some Pokémon behind her, and Bidoof and Sunflora, both carrying a full burlap sack, came into our room, too.

     "There's more?" Hex asked me wryly.

     I raised my talons at Hex. "This is just as much a surprise to you as it is to me," I said.

     Chimecho continued to smile knowingly. The other two had the same smile.

     "Chimecho?" Hex asked. Then her eyes widened in realization. "You didn't--"

     "You need energy for tomorrow," Chimecho interrupted. "We all all know that you all tend to favor outlaw assignments. You'll need some dinner!"

     Kip stepped forward and dipped his head to them. "Thank you, guys. This means so much to us right now."

    "Oh my gosh! Of course!" Sunflora said. "But it wasn't just us!"

     "Yup, yup!" Bidoof agreed. "We -- the Guild apprentices -- all put aside some of our dinners for you guys. We have to stick together, and none of us couldn't stand to see you standing there, going without food, at dinner."

     Pika walked over and hugged Bidoof; Sunflora embraced Hex as the latter stepped forward. "Thank you guys so much," Pika said. "This means the world to us, everyone standing with us is amazingly heartwarming after today."

     Chimecho nodded, beaming. "We had better leave you four to eat in peace," she said, glancing down the hall. "It's late, but Chatot might notice all of us here and wander over. Good luck!"

     Sunflora and Bidoof echoed the sentiment as they collectively strolled back to their own room. We ate quietly for a moment, out of sight of the hall, hiding the evidence of this disobedience.

     "Do you think there is still a chance for us to join the expedition?" Pika asked, almost hopefully. "Wigglytuff picks the members, right? As Guildmaster?"

     My hopes rose with the same hesitancy. Maybe there is still hope for the others. Chatot's never liked me, and maybe that will color Wigglytuff's view of me, but Wigglytuff likes the others, right?

     "That's something to hope," Kip said. "Though I always thought that Chatot helped Wigglytiff keep in touch with us apprentices. He's not really around us except for the rollcall every morning. How would he know anything more than what Chatot reports to him?"

     Pika visibly deflated, like my hopes for the others. I hugged him, and he leaned into me.

     Hex walked back over to her blue firestone and the journal. "Then we prove that mistakes happen," she decided, determination now etched her face in that moment -- but her bitterness smoldered like embers in her eyes.

     I had two thoughts in that moment. The first, louder than the other, said, Hex is a real leader. She keeps us going, and she keeps herself going. The other noticed how much Chatot's accusations had cut her. She admires -- or admired -- Chatot. Of course his words hurt her. I decided to change the subject. She could wallow all she wanted in the journal -- I had a feeling I knew what that was like, from my mysterious past. "Hey, Hex," I said, breaking the momentary silence. "What's that stone? Kip mentioned it's a fire stone, but that looks like a water stone, with such a vibrant sapphire-blue."

     Hex glanced down at the stone, and set her paw on it. Her expression softened. "It was my sister's," she said. "She's a shiny. I guess there was some kind of Ninetales magic that reacted with the stone as she evolved, and her being a shiny changed it. We never really knew why, but it happened. She went off to explore on her own, but she left this for me. For luck. Because it's so unique, and maybe even has some magic left in it. You know the myths about a Ninetales and her nine tails." She paused, and added, almost to herself, "She's why I'm here."

     "She sounds like a great sister," I said.

     "She is. And a great explorer."

     No one said anything for a moment. The air lost its tension as our hunger faded, and the cool light of the crescent moon shone in on us, taking us somewhere else, where our anger did not follow. I had seen the room many times in the dark, but tonight felt ethereal. Light. New.

     Hex was the last to speak, and she was the first to speak. "We should prepare and rest for tomorrow," she said. "Chimecho is right. We take on the outlaws, and we need to be ready to take them on. And, if we want to have even a sliver of a chance to be part of the expedition, we need to get through the days leading up to it with good results. We don't have any room for more mistakes, our margin for error is used up, thanks to Team Skull."

     "That's a good point," Kip agreed. "Though it has occurred to me, what is the point of keeping us from the expedition? If they like picking on Pearl and Pika, wouldn't it be better to embarrass them or even all of us on the expedition?"

     Pika looked out at the night sky and thought. "Maybe they don't plan so long-term?"

     "They aren't always too bright," Kip agreed. "Though Skuntank is clever. Maybe cleverer than we think."

     "Well," I began, "either way, we win, right? If we go, then we get to attend the expedition. If not, we're rid of Team Skull sooner."

     Hex smiled at me, a tired, but genuine, smile. "That's something positive to get us through the next few days." Hex settled down in her nest, and undid the white ribbon on her new journal. "I'm really glad you guys are my team," she said earnestly. "I couldn't ask for better Pokémon to partner with." She opened the journal, and started writing. The rest of us settled down, as well.

     My last thought was about the blue fire stone -- hoping the luck would grant the others a spot on the expedition.

✿ Nov 3, 2021 ✿
     Thank you guys for sticking around! I hope this chapter is good, I don't feel like it went anywhere, but I still needed a "filler" chapter to get past the Perfect Apple situation, and to get closer to the Expedition. I have already started on the next chapter, and I'm hoping to get it out before or around New Year's. I'm still writing! Like I mentioned last time, I'm always writing for the next chapter -- haha, pun intended -- in Crystal/Pearl's story. I have the one after this started, I started it back in 2016 believe it or not, and the following started in 2018 or around then. Yet I haven't finished or made much progress in this one! Hopefully you guys will be able to enjoy my skipping-around-writing in the future.
     I've also decided to make an AO3 (Archive of Our Own) account! I haven't put anything there yet, but as Wattpad becomes more pushy with it's Premium and putting ads (which I do NOT profit from) between my chapters (and other author's chapters), I will probably either post both here on Wattpad and there on AO3 (in case those things aren't deal breakers for anyone who follows me here). My user there is Mel_the_Pirate, as I've been trying to use a different username since 2016 or so. I'm 22, so it might be time to lay my old reliable Charizard_100 name down. I won't be changing my name here though!
     That's all I have for you. I hope you enjoy this 4,000 word chapter! Take care, and good luck on anything you guys are doing this time of year (cough cough, like midterm exams, cough cough).