Marowak smiles and waves at Riolu who is carrying both the bag and Mana. When he woke up, Mana was asleep and Marowak had explained that the sun was setting. Riolu walks up the steps to the guild and Diglet allows them entry. He ignores his fellow guild members' questions and whispers as he heads stright for their room. He sets Mana down carefully on to her bed and Riolue sits on his bed. He closes his eyes. The day of training had somewhat strengthened him, but he was unable to learn a new move. His speed and stamina increased a bit, but what if he had gone into the fighting/psychic arena? Would he have failed like Mana had?
"...So this is to be considered as top priority and all your other missions are withheld until you complete this one. As you know, the Guildmaster loves his perfect apples..." Riolu nods off, his eyes closing again and Mana bites his paw to jolt him awake. She listens to Chatot's lecture and follows along while keeping a close eye on Riolu. When Chatot hops away, Mana turns to Riolu and asks, "What was it that kept you up all night?"
"I couldn't sleep for some reason," Riolu yawns. "That's probably because you fell asleep after the training so you couldn't sleep when it was time for bed," Mana sighs. "Come on, I'll fill you in on the details as we walk."
"Walk? Where are we going?" "Did you not hear anything Chatot was saying?! Are you sure your..." Mana and Riolu climb the stairs and Skuntank looks up the ladder.
"Y'hear that guys? Looks like the pipsqueaks are lookin' for some apples for the Guildmaster," Skuntank peers behind him, smirking. "I think we should 'help' them out." Team Skull's leader follows after the rookies and Zubat and Koffing giggle after him. I'll crush that little cyndaquil until she can't move and I'll make sure that puppy knows his place.
"In the deepest part of Apple Woods, there is a special tree where only perfect apples grow. Chatot said that there are a few other places, but Apple Woods is the closest one and as of now, there are no more perfect apples left. While you were dozing," Mana glares at her friend who chuckles nervously, "He said that this is top priority and we shouldn't be wasting time wandering around the area. For some reason, he seemed like he was panicking..."
"Hmmm...maybe he's afraid of Wigglytuff's wrath?" Riolu looks over at Mana, who cringes. "What's wrong?" "I think I'm more afraid of Chatot's wrath than Wigglytuff's. I mean, the way he glares at me all the time-" "Haha! That's 'cause you're always sleeping while he's talking! Remember when you fell asleep last week and he put you on sentry duty? You got everyone's footprints wrong and everyone could hear him scolding you. Ha! That was funny."
"Wait, how come I'm the one who gets yelled at but he never yells at you?" "Oh, that's 'cause I sleep standing up so it looks like I'm paying attention. When you fall asleep, you lay on the ground and blow bubbles out of your nose," Riolu laughs as Mana walks ahead of him. He teases her, catching up to her easily and she hurls a small ball of fire at him. He dodges and skips ahead, finding the stairs with ease.
"Keh, look at them so happy and carefree; makes me want to crush them even more. Let's go." Team Skull heads up the stairs as well.
Mana and Riolu reach the deepest part of the woods and both rookies spot a huge tree. Riolu points and asks, "Those are the perfect apples hanging there right? How do you suppose we get them down from there?" Mana looks up and then at the trunk of the tree. She looks at Riolu and points to the trunk.
"We hit the trunk and the apples should fall." "Are you sure hitting the tree would work? What if there's not enough force?"
"Keh, you pipsqueaks sure are loud. How long do have to make us wait?" Riolu and Mana look up to see Team Skull climb down the tree. Skuntank finishes off the perfect apple and burps into Mana's face. "Keh keh, you pipsqueaks are so slow, we couldn't follow you anymore," Skuntank smiles down at Mana. "If you want the rest of these apples, you're gonna have to fight me for 'em." Riolu steps between Mana and Skuntank.
"We'll be taking those apples and if you try to stop us, then we have no choice but to fight." Koffing looks over at Zubat, giggling. "Oh-ho, when did the coward become so brave? I don't see any shaky legs, so he must be serious Chief." Skuntank ignores the riolu, shoving him to the side. He looks down at Mana, who has not wavered from his gaze since they arrived.
"Well, are you willing to fight for your precious apples?" Skuntank takes a few steps back until he is next to Koffing. They glance at each other and smile. Mana catches their look and she turns to her friend, yelling, "Riolu, run!" Koffing's smog combined with Skuntank's attack hits the whole area. Mana, Riolu, and Zubat are immediately knocked out cold. Skuntank chuckles, wiping his mouth. As if I'd fight them fair. He walks past Mana, frowning. One day, I will take great pleasure in destroying you. Koffing drags the unconscious Zubat away, trailing after the chief.
"...olu. Riolu, you awa...ke?" When Riolu opens his eyes, Mana's eyes stare back at him. Startled, Riolu backs up a few feet and looks around, hoping to hide his face. Mana cocks her head to the side, confused. "If you're worried about Team Skull, they're gone. They took the apples with them too." "W-what? B-b-b-but our mission...!" Mana shakes her head and begins to walk back the way they came.
"We'll tell Chatot there were no apples when we entered the deepest part of the woods. And no, we can't tell him that Team Skull was responsible for taking the apples. You know what Chatot is going to say about that right? Anyway, let's head back for now." Riolu gets up, wiping dirt off his legs. He catches up to Mana and they walk home together.