Hideo's Pokemon weren't oblivious to his distress.

"{Been a long time since I saw Hideo this down,}" the Ambipom said, taking a seat by the wood they'd gathered for campfires.

"{It's understandable he'd be stressed,}" the Beheeyem responded - speaking rather than communicating telepathically. "{He's been thinking a lot about those prophecies, and what happened to several people at the one I attended. It's very likely his assumption that Ruby Walker 's death is connected to it is accurate.}"

"{Can't look too deep, but gotta look deep for a chance to find out what's coming. Screwed either way.}" The Ambipom could only shrug. "{I tried to distract him for a bit, but he's just dead-set on this. He didn't even care when I grabbed his dessert. I don't even like those chocolate things he gets.}"

"{I've had to remind him to eat a couple times. He hasn't had another panic attack yet, but he's gotten close. I'd rather not sedate him if we don't have to.}"

"{...have you considered making him forget? About the whole amulet thing and Ruby? He might be better off that way.}"

The Beheeyem shook his head. "{Too many variables could undo it; if any of his friends or other people involved discuss either with him, he'd notice the hole in his memory. And they'd just fill him in and cause the issue to recur, unless I made them forget too, but I doubt I could do so without retaliation. It also wouldn't help us get any closer to finding out what's coming: pretending it's not coming won't stop whatever it is.}"

The Ambipom sighed. "{Screwed either way.}"

There was a silence between the two Pokemon as they mulled over their current situation. Only the timely arrival of a Stoutland could distract them. "{Maybe a new Pokemon'll help Hideo out,}" the Ambipom said, "{Go get a few balls, Elga. I'll make this an easy catch.}"

"{Understood.}" The Beheeyem dashed off, the Ambipom rushing into battle with the Stoutland. She'd gotten more than enough battle practice at this point to handle the dog on her own: by the time the Beheeyem returned, several empty Pokeballs floating in the air, Pom hit the Stoutland right on the top of the head with a Last Resort.

"{That much force seemed unnecessary,}" the Beheeyem commented, tossing one of the balls at the Stoutland.

"{Just had some steam to blow off, I guess.}"

Attempting to capture the Stoutland