Sky's the limit

Chapter 18

Gina followed her partner up the ladder and out to the front of the guild, her movements slightly sluggish from having just woken up. Loudred had called them over to tell them they had visitors waiting for them up top.

"I wonder who's waiting for us?" Soren said. "Especially this early in the morning."

"Maybe it's super important," Gina replied. "I mean, if it wasn't, they probably would've come a lot later."

Soren shrugged, then gave a small gasp when the visitors came into view. "Azurill and Marill? What's up?"

Gina pranced to his side, grinning. "Hey guys! Are you our visitors? What did you wanna talk about?"

Marill nodded. "Yep! You see, we wanted to ask you guys for help. Do you remember yesterday, when we were talking about the Water Float?"

"Yeah. You said someone found it on the beach, didn't you?" Gina asked. "What about it?"

Azurill looked away. "Well, we went looking for it yesterday, but..."

"We couldn't find it," Marill continued for his brother, who seemed lost for words. "But we did find this letter." He held out towards them a sheet of paper.

Soren took the letter from him. "This was all you found? Just this letter? Let's see what it says..." He began to read the letter out loud. "'The Water Float from the beach is now in our possession. We dare you to take it from us! We'll be waiting in the deepest part of Amp Plains. Of course, knowing how weak you are, I bet you won't be able to get that far! Chaw-haw-haw! If you can't handle it, why not go cry to your big-shot friends!'"

Gina snatched the letter from him, reading it over again quickly. "This isn't any old letter, this is a ransom note!" she exclaimed. "This must be a trap!" She gave Marill and Azurill an intense stare. "You guys better not be thinking about going! It sounds really dangerous!" She looked at the note again. "But who writes out an evil laugh? Seriously..."

Marill frowned. "But the Water Float is really important to us, Gina. We can't just leave it with them." He sighed. "Besides, I already tried going myself..."

Soren's eyes widened. "You what?!"

"I already went to Amp Plains," he repeated. "But Amp Plains has a lot of Electric-types living there, and being a Water-type I get knocked out almost instantly." A sob shook his body. "I just c-can't stand how w-weak I am..."

Azurill looked up at his brother. "You could always take me with you," he murmured.

Marill looked at him, his eyes blurry. "No. Absolutely not. I'm not going to let you go and get into any scary fights."

"Hey, come on, now," Soren said, walking over and putting a reassuring hand on Marill's shoulder. "Here's what we'll do: Gina and I will go to Amp Plains and get your Water Float for you. It'll be no sweat for Team Diamond!"

Azurill smiled. "You will?!"

Gina nodded enthusiastically. "Sure! Now come on, no more tears!"

Marill wiped at his eyes. "R-right! We're sorry to bother you with this, but..."

"Look at you guys, crying and laughing like this, seriously!" Soren chuckled. "Don't worry though, we'll be sure to bring it back for you, we promise!"

"C'mon, Soren! Let's go get us a Water Float!" Gina said. "Or at least, go into Treasure Town to prepare."

Soren followed his partner down the guild steps, then tilted his head. "Where are we going for preparations?"

"Kangaskhan Storage," she replied. "I was thinking we could put away some of the stuff we definitely won't need."

"Wait, isn't that place run by the Kangaskhan who pinches my cheeks and calls me 'dear' all the time?" he asked warily.