"S-somebody…help me!" The wind knocks away Azurill's plea and Drowzee laughs. "Ha, we're at the top. No one's going to hear you or even think of saving you. Now then, why don't you-"
"Let him go, Drowzee." Surprised, Drowzee turns around to see a riolu and a cyndaquil walking towards them. He had seen them before, in the town square before he and the brothers had set off. If not for Riolu's shaking legs, Drowzee would've thought these little ones were serious. He smiles cruelly, stepping away from Azurill and spreading his arms out.
"My, what a surprise. Have you also come to help our little friend find his precious treasure?" Mana glares at him, not buying his lie. He ignores her, looking only at Riolu. "You see, we got separated from his brother and I was about to call for help until you showed up. Would you mind sending for a rescue team?"
"U-uh, w-we are-" "We're team Future. Riolu and I are an official exploration team and you," Mana pulls out a wanted poster, showing it to Drowzee, "You are a wanted criminal that we came to capture. We won't let you harm Azurill any longer." Mana takes a step forward, her eyes glancing from Drowzee to the frightened Azurill. If only she could somehow separate the two.
"Bahahahahaha! You rookies think you can stand up to me? Ha, I admire your courage and I would believe that if your little friend wasn't trembling so much." Drowzee takes a step towards the two pokemon. "So what if I've got a bounty? I don't see anyone here who can take me down. But you," he points to Mana, "You're different from him so I'll help you out a bit. If you defeat me, I'll give up. But if I win, not only are you both going to leave, you two are going to leave your bag of goodies here and never explore again." Riolu gulps, his eyes making their way towards Mana's expression. She was determined, but after meeting a real criminal, could she really do this? If they lost, then there's no more exploration team, no more finding answers to her and Riolu's questions, no more…
"We will never back down! We will defeat you and get Azurill back because we promised his brother," Riolu says, his mind made up. He takes his stance, paws up and breathes in deeply. Mana watches, her mouth tilting up. Nodding in agreement, she stands beside Riolu, her resolve much stronger than before.
"Pity," Drowzee mumbles, a small frown tugging at his lips. "I expected you to walk away and save your little team, but watching you trying to be something you're not…" Drowzee shrugs. "I'll just have to crush you to make you understand." Without a second thought, Drowzee charges.
Mana uses smokescreen to buy some time. She asks Riolu, "Do we still have those items?" Riolu concentrates on Drowzee's aura as he replies, "We should. Do you really think this is going to work?" Mana smiles, looking at the items. "Of course. We know he's a devious criminal, so we've got to be prepared for anything. Are you ready?" Riolu nods.
"Here he comes." Drowzee launches his attack, using disable on Mana. A weird feeling comes over her and she tries to use smokescreen again, but something is wrong. Her body freezes on her and she staggers back, gasping for air. Drowzee laughs and his eyes begin to glow. Forcing herself to recover, Mana grabs the blast seed from the bag and hurls it Riolu. His concentration breaks and he opens his mouth, shocked. He watches as the riolu swallows the seed, as the rookie dashes straight for him, as his mouth opens. The blast from the seed causes Drowzee a great deal of damage and he takes a step back, trying avoid any more damage that may follow. Mana observes the outlaw, her eyes calculating the damage and the amount it would take for him to be defeated. She then turns her attention towards Riolu, who is still a good distance away.
"Now, Riolu!" Riolu uses quick attack, hitting Drowzee from all sides. He then dodges back, allowing Mana to throw another blast seed. The two keep this up until Drowzee finally shouts in anger. His eyes glow and he points at Riolu, who also begins to glow. Without even thinking, Mana hurls a ball of fire towards Drowzee just as he throws Riolu. The hot flames burn the pokemon and he screams, the effects of the burn injuring him. He staggers forward, his eyes locked on to Mana. Riolu struggles to get up, his body aching from being thrown to the ground. His legs move on its own and they are running straight for Drowzee, whose eyes begin to glow yet again. Azurill closes his eyes just as Drowzee raises his arm. Mana's body begins to glow, but she continues to glare at the injured pokemon, watching as the burn she inflicted on him take effect on him again. He stops mid attack, staggering forward. Mana stops glowing, still watching the pokemon, watching as he falls to the earth. He gasps when the burn takes effect again, flinching away from the pain of both the burn and of the rookies' attacks.
Panting, Riolu hurries to Azurill while Mana stays behind. He reaches Azurill, asking, "Are you all right? Have you been hurt anywhere? Your brother has been so worried about you." As Riolu and Azurill talk, Mana walks over to the fallen Drowzee and bends down. He is breathing heavily and sweating. Mana drags the bag towards her and rummages around until she finds a rawst berry. She takes the berry out and breaks it in half. The berry finds its way into Drowzee's mouth and he chews it slowly.
"After what I've done, you're helping me?" "I've been poisoned and it's not fun, it's very painful. Even though you've done a lot of bad things and have made bad decisions, you still deserve to live." Mana gives him the other half and he accepts it, straining to look up at Mana.
"Heh. I've come across so many strong exploration teams, but I've never met a team like yours. You are strong, I'll give you that. But that kindness you've shown me is going to destroy you and your teammate someday." Drowzee closes his eyes and sleeps, the effects of the burn already subsiding. Mana sighs, looking up at the clouds and the small, bright sun. She whispers to the sleeping pokemon, "My kindness gave you a second chance. You may think of it as a weakness, but I view it as a strength."
Mana and Riolu wait for Officer Magnezone. When Magneszone arrives, a group of magnemite swarm around Drowzee and take him away. The rookies then head back to take Azurill home. They reunite the little pokemon with his brother and Mana giggles as Riolu cries. She watches the sun set and remembers that her and her friend brought together the brothers. This warm feeling comforts and soothes her as she and Riolu head to their guild. They are greeted with cheers and food, as well as their reward for catching the wanted criminal. Everyone including the guildmaster celebrates with them, giving in to the bubbling emotions at the dining hall.
Mana gets ready for bed. She jumps when Riolu walks in, still smiling from the celebration. He plops himself on his bed and looks at Mana. "I was wondering. How did you know that Azurill was in trouble? You ran out of the guild before I could even ask and all of a sudden, we were on a dangerous mission. Did someone tell you or…?" Mana was already shaking her head and Riolu's words were left hanging. He closes his mouth, his eyes looking down at his paws.
"Remember at Kecleon's market? I told you that I heard someone screaming, but you said I was imagining it? I didn't know it was Azurill at first, but then this morning when I saw Drowzee's poster, I had this vision." Mana explains what took place, careful not to leave anything out. She knows it's a stretch for Riolu to believe, but she still had to give it a try. When she finishes, Riolu sits there quietly.
"I know it seems weird and it does, but I can't explain it. My head starts hurting and then I get these…flashes. It's okay if you don't believe me-" Riolu interrupts. "Mana, imagine what would've happened if we didn't know about Azurill. There's no way you could lie and I believe what you're saying. I also know that without that vision, Azurill's life would've been in even more danger and we would still be here. You know," Riolu smiles, his eyes soft, "I've never really felt so happy until I saw those brothers reunite. It made me feel that I did something right, that I was the one who caused this. Mana, what you saw helped those brothers and that's nothing to be ashamed of."
"I-I guess you're right," Mana blushes, embarrassed. But wait… these visions happened before the actual events, so then… "Riolu, I don't know why, but I've noticed that I've had visions of the future. Do you think this has something to do with my past or why I became a pokemon?" Mana can't keep her excitement down and her voice begins to rise.
"Ah, you're right! But wait, only psychic pokemon have the ability of future sight. Hmm... Then that doesn't really make sense since you're a human. Maybe you were a special human? Ahhh, my head is starting to hurt. This is so confusing. We'll think about this tomorrow, but right now, we need to get some sleep." Riolu lays down and turns over so his back is facing Mana. She waits a bit longer, deep in thought. If she was a human, why would she have a psychic type ability? And why was it only her and not Riolu who had these visions? Maybe it's some sort of side effect because I turned into a pokemon. Mana's head begins to spin, her mind becoming fuzzy due to fatigue. Riolu's right, I should get some sleep too…
"I SAID GET UP! TIME TO HAUL OUT OR ELSE FEEL THE WRATH OF THE GUILDMASTER. Ugh, you'd THINK they'd know by NOW," Loudred grumbles, walking out of the room and into the one next door. Mana and Riolu get up, unable to even hear the sound of their thoughts.
"…For Smiles!" Mana and Riolu sneak in just as everyone finishes. Chatot doesn't seem to notice as he says, "Okay, it's time to get to work." Everyone including Mana and Riolu agree and the pokemon disperse into their own little groups, leaving the rookies by themselves once again. They glance at each other, unsure of what to do. Before Riolu can ask, Chatot flutters his wings and hops over.
"Ah, it'll take some time getting used to everything, but soon you'll both be comfortable enough to take on jobs from both areas. For now though, allow me to give you an assignment." Chatot glances at the Job Bulletin Board and the Outlaw Notice Board. "I want you two to go over there and look at both boards. Choose a job wisely and from one of the notices only. When you have picked out a job that you both agree on, you can go." Chatot leaves, but Riolu stays put, confused.
"Wait, that's it? No errand jobs or lectures? You're sending us off by ourselves to complete a job?" "Riolu, this is what you wanted when you joined this guild. You've done very well in capturing Drowzee and I knew right then that you guys were capable of anything you set your minds to. Have faith in your ability and teamwork." Chatot finally leaves, with Riolu and Mana staring off after him.
"Well, I guess we should check for some easy jobs first. I'm a little scared of fighting another criminal, so let's go look at the Job List." Mana follows Riolu over to the board and waits as her friend looks over the list of jobs. He makes a few disgruntled noises until he cries out.
"Mana, look at this! This one is perfect. All we have to do rescue Shellos and it'll be easy." "That's good and all, but it's at Beach Cave," Mana says, looking it over. She looks over at the board, searching for something she had found before. When she finds another job, she points it out to Riolu. "This one is also at Beach Cave, so wouldn't it be more beneficial for us to take both jobs? They're all in the same place and all of them require helping someone. Oh, maybe we should look at the Outlaw Notice too." Mana grabs the paper and hands it to Riolu. She walks over to the other side and carefully looksat each of the posters.A picture finally catches Mana's attention and she takes it down. She hands it over to a terrified riolu.
Mana sighs, looking at her friend. "Riolu, it's all right. We can do this. We saved Azurill and we beat Zubat and Koffing, so why can't we complete three jobs? Here, look. Shellos is terrified and alone. She needs our help just like Azurill did. And this Shellos wants to see her friend, but she's too scared to go alone so she needs our help. And then there's this criminal who loves to toy with pokemon's feelings, pressuring them to hand over all of their valuables. Do you really want to let down these pokemon because it's too hard or you're too afraid?" Riolu says nothing. Mana does have a point. With all the craziness going on here and the rise in criminals, of course the innocent pokemon would need help.
It's just that…I'm not strong enough-" "Riolu, you don't need to be really strong. As long as I'm here, I won't let anything happen to you and as long as you're here, I will always have strength. Just trust me, okay? We can do this!" Riolu nods slowly, still feeling a little doubtful. But when has Mana steered me wrong? When has she ever left me to fend for myself?
"You're not the only one who gets scared, but we all have a choice. Do we want it to rule over us or do we want to rule over them?" Mana's words come back to Riolu and he looks up at her. Of course! Of course Mana is afraid, but Riolu was too shocked by what she had said that he forgot. That's right. I can't let fear rule me and I have to make my own decisions without thinking about that horrible feeling.
Feeling lighter and more secure, Riolu agrees with his friend and silently thanks those words for making him understand. He and Mana set out, exiting the guild with their bag full of supplies. Riolu takes one last look at the guild before leaving.
Riolu reviews the jobs, saying, "Okay, so first we've got to head to the second floor to rescue Shellos." He flips through each of the papers just as Mana replies, "Yeah, but we'll have the other Shellos in our group-" "So then, do we wait until we reunite Shellos with her friend?" Mana glares at Riolu for interrupting her, but he can't help it. Looking at three different papers, each with different job descriptions is beginning to confuse the riolu.
"Oh yeah. Uh...sorry about that. But this is all so confusing! Who do we help first? Do we help Shellos escort her to her friend and then go back later to rescue the other shellos? Or with the other shellos...gahh! There's way too many shellos in these descriptions and my head is starting to hurt," Riolu says, shaking his head violently. He pauses for a few minutes, clearing his mind and then decides to fix his attention in front of him.
Throwing Riolu one last look, Mana gives up. She grabs Riolu from behind and he stops long enough for her to stuff the papers in their bag. As far as she knows, they'll be receiving a few gifts as a reward and of course, some money should the rookies accomplish their tasks. Mana sighs, also becoming confused by the number of shellos her and Riolu must help. She follows the riolu and after about an hour, he stops walking. Riolu notices a shellos looking around and he shifts his bag nervously. The pokemon finally spots the two and she smiles.
"I'm so happy you could make it. I've been so worried about my friend Shellos, but I'm too afraid to go in the cave alone." The pokemon looks at Riolu, her eyes pleading. To be honest, Riolu didn't particularly want to do this; going in to a cave with this pokemon. What if they were attacked and Shellos fainted? What happened if something went wrong and he got separated from Mana and Shellos? Would Mana save him first or would she go back for him later?
Why am I thinking of this now? It's not like that happened when Mana and I went to save Azurill. Riolu is still deep in thought until Mana speaks in his place. "Don't worry Shellos. We'll guide you to your friend and make sure nothing harms you. You just have to trust us." Mana smiles at Shellos, who in turn, nods enthusiastically.
Regaining hope, Shellos leads the way into the cave with Riolu trailing behind. He is still deep in thought, his worries and troubles getting the best of him. If it hadn't been for Mana, where would he be? Would he have joined Wigglytuff's Guild or got back his relic from Koffing and Zubat? Would he have overcome his fears? If he never found Mana at the beach, would-
"Riolu! Are you listening?" Mana and Shellos stare back at Riolu, who glance between them wide eyed. He was so caught up with his worries he didn't notice that they had reached the stairs. Shellos looks worried, glancing between the stairs and Riolu. Mana walks over to Riolu.
"If you're afraid, I'll go with Shellos and finish the rest of the jobs. When I'm done, I'll come back for you okay? I...I don't want to push you or anything. I mean, we did go up against a wanted criminal and instead of getting a break, we were told to take jobs like nothing happened." Mana glances back towards Shellos, continuing. "Remember when you cried after we reunited Azurill and Marill? I was so happy for them, but there was something else I felt. I can't really explain it, but I know that it was a good feeling and I liked it. I liked that we helped one more pokemon find happiness, that we helped everyone by putting away one more criminal, and that we have the power to change this place. I want to know more about this feeling and I want to see the pokemon we're helping find their happiness, their gratitude, their dream. I want them to feel hope that they can be safe and we can do that if we help them."
"I'm going up there and it's your choice if you want to follow. I won't get mad at you or feel disappointed or anything," Mana whispers. She gives Riolu a small smile and then starts walking back towards Shellos.
Again, she is covering for me. Again, I have held her back because of my fear. Why am I so useless? The remaining question Riolu had stops him from taking another breath. If he had never come across or met Mana, what would Riolu be doing? Everything I have done so far is thanks to Mana. She is everything that I lack. Without her, I...
"Wait! Mana, let me come with you please?" Don't leave me alone with myself. "I-I'll try to be strong and I want to try helping Shellos see her friend." I don't want to go back to being a frightened pokemon who only runs away and hides.
Mana's small smile grows bigger and she waits as Riolu catches up to them. They go up the stairs and reach the next floor...
...Straight into a room full of corsola, shellder, and kabuto. In the center of the angry horde is a nasty looking kabuto. He is slightly bigger than the other kabuto, looking more like the leader of the group rather than just a follower. He is the wanted criminal Mana and Riolu have come to get and it seems that he too, understands as he mockingly bows at the two.
"Welcome, friends. I've brought company who are a little more than eager to meet you. When I heard that there was a lost pokemon, I decided to help find this little pokemon." Kabuto motions to the pokemon behind him and they push a shellos forward. Shellos cries out to her friend, moving towards him, but before she could stumble through, Mana blocks her path.
"Oh? After all the hard work I put through to reunite these two, you're going to stop them?" "What are you really planning? There's no way a wanted criminal would like you would help unless you were after something," Mana says, glaring at Kabuto. He acts surprised for a moment and everyone is quiet until Kabuto bursts out laughing. Some of the pokemon behind him laugh nervously, confused.
"You are indeed an interesting pokemon. I thought you were the same as many who have come to capture me. I say 'many' because while it is true I have a bounty, so many naive pokemon assume I have changed in my ways and they all end up falling for my trap. But you," Kabuto takes a small step back, "You are different from them. You are not as naive even though you and your friend are mere children. It's unfortuante that I have to get rid of you; such a shame too," Kabuto mumbles, still smirking.
"Now then, how shall I deal with you?" The kabuto turns around, ignoring the three. He directs his question towards the group he is facing and some chime in here and there. Riolu, Mana, and Shellos all wait in silence. Finally, Riolu whispers, "What are we going to do? There's too many of them and they might try using Shellos to use him against us..." He trails off, his expression beginning to drop. A second ago, he was wondering what he would've done if Mana had not helped him. Now, with the way things are going, parting ways with Mana seems too close and too terrifying for Riolu to even think about.
"Riolu, do you know where Shellos is?" The sound of his friend's voice shakes Riolu back to the current situation. He nods, then answers a quick "yes". Mana takes a small breath, her eyes still on the group in front of her. "You're right, there are a lot of them and there is a chance that Kabuto will use Shellos to his advantage. We are going to use his advantages to our advantage." "W-what do you mean?" Riolu asks, his fear increasing.
"I'll explain later. I want you to pinpoint Shellos's location and let me know when you've found him. I also need a few items from the bag, starting with the X-eye seed." With great care, Riolu drops the bag and rummages slowly, looking for the item. Mana keeps a close eye on the group, straightening a little when Riolu hands her the seed. She then starts telling him part of her plan, thinking it up as she goes and hoping that it will work. Finally, Riolu also straightens, hiding an item behind his back while his eyes lock on to Shellos's aura. It is then that Kabuto turns around, his eyes flashing brighter.
"Well now, sorry to keep you all waiting. I've come to a decision amongst my dear friends and I think you would agree with what I have to say," The criminal takes a deep breath. Riolu grips the item tightly, waiting for Mana's signal. The shellos behind Mana gulps loudly, her nerves crushing her. What is to happen to her friend? What are these pokemon going to do her, Mana, and Riolu? Will Mana's plan really work or are we all going to...?