Friendship Took a Turn, and Mingyou Was a Total Slowpoke (Please Vote!)

After rescuing Akari, Mingyou carried her back to her room at the Villa to rest. Ogerpon followed, holding the recovered Wellspring Mask and Teal Mask.

With that, the Loyal Three's surprise attack on the Manor was finally over. Under Basculegion's direction, the Basculin hauled the defeated Munkidori out of the lake and brought him ashore.

The Pokémon living there had no intention of letting a villain like him off. Even though he was unconscious, they gave him another thorough beating before the Piloswine froze him into an ice sculpture.

Unfortunately, while everyone was in the backyard, Okidogi and Fezandipiti had woken up somewhere in the Orchard and fled.

Since Munkidori had the Wellspring Mask, the remaining Hearthflame Mask and Cornerstone Mask were probably with them. They had simply been defeated before they could use them.

Mingyou regretted not noticing at the time. He definitely would have searched them if he had, but he had more pressing things to worry about now...

Akari's room on the second floor was clean and tidy, regularly swept. Her suitcase and backpack sat neatly beside the bed, while her bedside table held the clothes she had folded for tomorrow and a book from Blueberry Academy that she had yet to finish.

She was propped up in bed, her long, glossy black hair loose around her shoulders. Her soaked clothes had all been changed, and she now wore a blue-and-white long-sleeved top. Ogerpon had helped her change; Mingyou respected her privacy and was busy cooking.

"Cough, cough..."

Akari coughed softly. Her time in the icy water had left her with a bit of a cold, though she was much better than when they had first pulled her from the lake.

She shook her head gently to reassure Ogerpon, who was looking after her, then said apologetically,