"OI ROOKIES, GET YOUR BUTTS IN GEAR! If I HAVE to come in HERE one more TIME," Loudred grumbles, shooting death glares at the stumbling rookies. Riolu blinks a couple of times, getting back into the flow of things. He reaches over and grabs Mana, dragging her into the meeting hall where the guild members are shouting their routine rules. Chatot gives a small speech, waiting for everyone to quiet down.
"I have a small announcement to make. There is a place far in the northeast called Treeshroud Forest. As you all are aware of the existence of time gears, I wish to tell you that in the forest, time seems to have stopped completely. Now, I understand your concern and worries, but there is little information as to what happened there. All I know is that there was a time gear located deep in the forest and now something has happened that made everything just...stop." Mana and Riolu look at each other, worried.
"Wait, everything just stopped?" "What happened to the time gear?" "Who cares about the time gear. I want to know if this time stop thing is going to spread." Pokemon whisper and interrupt each other, chattering away their fears. Chatot says something, but he is drowned out.
"If time has stopped, then there is no movement in that area..." Mana mumbles. "That means no wind, no moving clouds, no moving pokemon, nothing. This is strange indeed, Riolu."
"B-but what does that mean?" Riolu asks, his own worries filling him up. Mana continues to think, still mumbling to herself. In turn, her rambling begins to answer her friend's question.
"...If that is the case, then time gears are the basis of keeping time flowing. If time stops flowing, then it's possible someone stole that time gear from the forest... But I can't really be-" Mana stops just as she hears Chatot's voice.
"It's because the time gear in Treeshroud Forest was stolen." Everyone including Riolu and Mana focus their attention on Chatot. Stolen? How could it have been stolen? And by who? Who would want a Time Gear unless there was a reason why they needed it...? Mana pauses. If that's true, then that means it's also possible they'll be searching for more time gears.
"Everyone settle down. I have given you all that I know. Officer Magnezone has already started investigating this mystery and as soon as there is enough information, then I will let you all know. For now, we should do our best in completing our daily chores and continue on with our missions. However, should anyone notice or hear anything suspicious or out of place, you are to report it immediately. Even if it is something small, every bit of information helps us get closer to solving this mystery. Now, off you go!" Everyone scatters.
Chatot hops over to the two rookies. "Since you have come here, both of you have been working very hard. I see no slacking except for the occasional mornings," Chatot peers down at Mana, who avoids his eyes purposely. "Anyways, I have been keeping watch of your efforts and the way you handled yourselves in the capture of Drowzee? Not only was it very brave, but very admirable." Riolu smiles while Mana stares at the ground, blushing in embarrassment at the compliment.
"Now, let me see your map." Riolu rummages around the bag until he finds the wonder map. He hands it over to Chatot, who then points to a place. "This place is where I would like you to investigate. Because of your excellent performance, I am giving you this opportunity to go on a proper mission. Okay, see this waterfall? Supposedly, there is a secret entrance behind it and amongst my many sources, there is one that received an important piece of information."
"Important piece of information? Like what, treasure?" Riolu's eyes light up. The thought of there being treasure brings about a joyous feeling. However, Chatot chops that feeling away as he coughs.
"Do not be petulant. As I was saying, this 'piece of information' may not be true at all, but that is why I want you to investigate. It would seem that beyond the waterfall and the entrance, there lies something hidden. I don't really know what it is and that's why I am sending you there," Chatot rolls up the map and gives it back to Riolu.
"So you want us to report if there is or is not something, right?" Mana finally looks at Chatot, recovering from her embarrassment. Chatot turns to her, nodding. "Correct. It would be best if the two of you left as soon as possible. Make sure you both come prepared because even I do not know what awaits you." With that, the bird pokemon hops off and leaves the rookies to themselves.
"U-uh...Mana? You know what Chatot said right? I-if he doesn't know what's out there, then does that mean-"
"Riolu, you're thinking way too much again. Relax, we've done complicated missions before and even though Chatot gave us that speech about it being mysterious and possibly dangerous, do you really think I'll let you get hurt?" Mana smiles, shaking her head. Her friend was always so nervous before any mission, so of course this one wouldn't be any different. I only hope he can believe in himself long enough to realize that there is nothing to be afraid of. Still smiling, Mana leads the way up the stairs and out of the guild. Riolu drags himself, still muttering to himself about the horrors that possibly await them should they actually go to this secret waterfall mission. Mana orders a few items from both Kecleon and stores a few unnecessary items with Kangaskhan. Riolu is still muttering to himself after Mana deposits their money with Duskull and when they walk to the edge of town, Riolu stops talking to himself and looks at the smirking cyndaquil.
"Wh-what's with that look? Aren't you just a bit nervous or have you lost..." Riolu lets his words hang. Mana continues to smirk at him, until she turns away from him. Riolu knows he's being reasonable. Who in their right minds would want to go into unknown territory without any real information leading them? And why is Mana smiling? Does she know something or has she really lost her mind? Riolu closes his eyes, breathing in deeply and then exhaling. He takes his first steps out of the town, following behind Mana. He doesn't realize that he, too, is smiling.