Sky's the limit

Chapter 3

"Gina! Hurry up! This way!"

"Yes, Gina, I promise you'll be safe. Now hurry!"

"No! Not that way! Gina!"

She tossed and turned in her sleep, trying to see where these voices were coming from. Everything was dark, and the only thing she could hear was that voice, which seemed very strangely familiar.

Eventually, her dream was shattered by the loudest noise she had ever heard.

"HEY! RISE AND SHINE!"

The noise boomed all around her, almost threatening to shatter her eardrums.

"Why are you still ASLEEP? WAKE UP!"

Gina's eyes opened. She had no idea where she was at first, but then she remembered that she was in her bedroom at the guild. She spotted Riolu beginning to wake up as well.

"My poor ears..." he muttered.

Gina strained her eyes to see the Pokemon standing in the entrance, but they were still bleary from sleep.

"Snap out of it!" the Pokemon shouted. "I'm Loudred! I'm a fellow apprentice! If you're late for the morning briefing, you'll be SORRY! So MOVE it! Guildmaster Wigglytuff has a big temper. If you make him lose it..." He shuddered. "That would be one SCARY scene! I've got goose bumps just thinking about it!"

He looked back at them. "ANYWAY... I'm not about to get in trouble because some rookies got up late! SO GET IT IN GEAR!"

As he left their room, Riolu shook his head, attempting to get his hearing back. "What did he say again? Something about getting ready?"

Both Riolu and Gina's eyes snapped open, their faces frozen into masks of horror.

"We're apprenticing at Wigglytuff's guild now," Gina stated.

"We overslept, didn't we?" Riolu asked.

"Yep."

They immediately scrambled out of their beds, squeezing past each other in a fight to get out of the room first.

They sprinted to the main room where other apprentices had already gathered, including the Vulpix and Shinx that Gina saw yesterday.

"You're LATE, rookies!" Loudred shouted.

Chatot scowled. "Hush, Loudred! It's still early, and your voice is ridiculously loud!"

Loudred huffed, and Chatot scanned the crowd. "Everyone seems to finally be present. Very well. Let us conduct our morning address." He faced the doors to Wigglytuff's room. "Guildmaster! The guild is in full attendance!"

The doors opened, and Wigglytuff walked out casually, facing the gathered apprentices.

"Thank you for joining us, Guildmaster! Please address the crew," Chatot instructed.

The Guildmaster said nothing, and it almost seemed as if he were...snoring?

Everyone began to stifle small laughs, and they whispered among themselves.

"Guildmaster Wigglytuff never ceases to amaze me!"

"Yup, looks like he's wide awake."

"Eek! His eyes are wide open! But he's fast asleep!"

Chatot nodded nervously. "Thank you, Guildmaster! We value your...words of wisdom!"

He flapped his wings for everyone's attention. "Okay, everyone! Take the Guildmaster's words of wisdom to heart! Finally, let's not forget our morning cheers! All together now!"