Among the different local fauna that made their homes here, Makoto would spot a tepig - a curious sight. He was sniffing along at a patch of mushrooms that seemed to have sprouted up near a steam vent in the tunnel, clearly looking for his next meal. The little piglet seemed to decide that the mushrooms were agreeable, though - for he would roast them with a burst of flame, before munching right down.

Makoto couldn't help but smile as they watched the fire-type partaking in this meal - endeared to the enjoyment the tepig clearly displayed. But, before long, they'd decide they'd seen enough - moving on down the tunnel. It wouldn't do, to disturb his meal.

It had appeared from around a corner, down one of the criss-crossing tunnels of the Fiery Path - a large drapion, eyes scanning over its surroundings. But, as its eyes fell upon Makoto, it must've thought them as easy prey, appearing to be all alone like this. Letting out a low and rattling hiss, the drapion took a few steps in Makoto's direction, before breaking out into a charge - claws poised and prepared to strike...!

However, Makoto was far from being 'alone'. Rising from their shadow, Kuro would leap over their shoulder - teeth bared in a little growl as he let loose a flurry of star-shaped bursts of energy, using Swift!

As the stars made impact against the drapion's face, the scorpion would stumble back - startled and hissing, claws raised to protect its eyes. It was clearly displeased by the interference - and roaring, it would attempt to charge Kuro - one of its claws raised in a Knock Off!

However, Makoto was prepared to switch Kuro out in lieu of someone else - namely, Yurei, who struck the offending claw away with their antlers. Faced with the large cervine, the drapion hesitated a second - reconsidering its odds against this prey. But before it could change tactics - "Stomp." - Yurei would already be charging, leaping to slam their front hooves into the poison-type, sending it reeling!

"Keep it busy, Yurei." Makoto spoke with a hue of praise - watching as stantler and drapion alike clashed, the scorpion having taken to trying to grapple and bite down on Yurei. The stantler did not take kindly to this however, responding with further strikes of their hooves that left the drapion dazed. All the whilst, Makoto would pull out an empty pokeball - waiting for their chance for a clear shot.

Which, would come in the form of Yurei eventually managing to throw the drapion off - striking it with their antlers, and throwing it overhead behind them. As the drapion slammed into the ground, Makoto threw their pokeball - aiming to catch the feisty scorpid. Yurei was certainly getting treats tonight, they knew that much.