Sky's the limit

Chapter 16

"So Team Skull coming along was basically the reason you two ditched us?" Amber asked, a disbelieving frown upon her face.

Gina sighed. "We didn't have much of a choice. Wigglytuff basically forced us to leave. Team Skull, of course, wanted to come along, but I guess Wigglytuff made them stay."

Amber exchanged a glance with Jasper. "When we got back to the statue, there was no sign of either of them. Are you sure they were there, and you aren't just saying this to get out of leaving us behind?"

"We're positive, Amber," Soren cut in. "We wouldn't have much of a reason to make an excuse, otherwise."

The Vulpix rolled her eyes. "Fine, I guess we'll believe you, right Jasper?"

"Uh... Sure," Jasper was barely listening, and even now he didn't look at his sister. "Hey, I think that's light up ahead. We must be getting to the end of the tunnel."

Gina turned away to look ahead. Her pulse quickened. "We're almost there!" she squealed excitedly. "I can't wait!"

A cool, refreshing breeze greeted them as they arrived at the opening. Gina sighed contentedly, relieved to be out of the stuffy cave and into the open.

Soren looked up at the sky, already a deep indigo, a half moon dimly illuminating their surroundings. "It's nighttime already. We must've spent quite a while exploring," he remarked.

Uxie lead them closer, up a small slope leading from the cave mouth and near the edge of a sturdy cliff, and gestured behind him. "I know it must be hard to see in the dark, but... Welcome to Fogbound Lake!"

The four apprentices peered past Uxie, and their mouths gaped in awe. The cliff was overhanging a vast body of rippling water, surrounded by stark ridges, the light of the moon and stars giving it an almost mystical glow. Numerous Volbeat and Illumise shone their taillights, each of them floating just above the surface of the lake in pairs.

"Wow..." Amber whispered. "It's beautiful... All those Volbeat and Illumise, the moonlight and starlight..."

Jasper's eyes reflected the light from the surface, a wide smile plastered across his face. "Fogbound Lake...really does exist! This is incredible!"

Soren nodded in agreement. "I'm so glad we all got to come, right, Gina?" When his partner didn't answer, he pulled his gaze away from the magnificent sight. "Gina? What is it?"

Gina pointed her paw at the centre of the lake, where a strange, blue-green light shone. "That," she said. "It's really weird, but at the same time it's really kinda pretty."

Soren tilted his head. Although he hadn't noticed the light until now, it was as though it was the only thing he could see now. "Yeah, I agree." He made an attempt to peer closer. Hidden in the light was a strange, circular, light blue artifact, with odd share-shaped teeth lining its sides. Peculiar markings were etched into its surface. He turned to Uxie. "Hey, Uxie? What is that thing at the centre?"

Uxie gave a slight smile. "That right there...is a Time Gear."

The four of them gasped, and they all brought themselves closer to get a better look at it. "That's a Time Gear?" Jasper asked, his yellow eyes wide. "I never thought I'd ever see one up close, but now..."

"It's so...mystical," Amber whispered. "It's almost like it's not even real."

Gina shared their feelings of awe, but at the same time she felt uneasy, her heart racing wildly and her breath quickening with it. What is this? she wondered. Why all of a sudden am I feeling like this? Is everyone else experiencing it...or is it just me? She looked around at everyone else, but they all seemed perfectly fine.