Among all the Rocket searching for a seal in the depths of these caves, among all the League members trying to stop them from acquiring something unknowably-powerful, there was at least one kid stuck between the two, just trying to find his way out in all the chaos - so far unsuccessfully. This place was a dank, winding maze, and every time he thought he would get close to a way out, it was either a dead end or he was met with resistance that pushed him back.

Getting lost in a place in the Wilds he knew nothing about was just the cherry on top of what was rapidly feeling like a nightmare for Hideo. The only Pokemon that could keep him oriented, he was doing his best to keep hidden - and anyone he came by could have been Rocket. Heck, he even had to keep Uxie secret from most League members too.

At the moment, Hideo was taking a rest, sitting in one of the many paths of this cavern as his Lycanroc stood guard, albeit close to the boy; the Lycanroc's fur was one of the few consistent comforts to the blind boy. A moment's rest, then he'd once again wander these caves.

But the sound of flapping wings in the air drew a grumble from the boy. "Fuck me," he muttered, "Those better not be getting closer."

Unfortunately, it sounded like they were. His Lycanroc moved in front of him, ready for whatever was coming for them this time.

Isaac Merlo

Hideo groaned, realizing just how right he was as the flapping got closer and closer. "At least you're good at fighting flying-types," he moaned, unsure if he even wanted to stand up for this. "If that's what they are."

It sounded like more than one Pokemon was flying towards him. Each one seemed to have a different rhythm to their flying, and a different power to each flap. Hideo couldn't tell what Pokemon they were just from that information alone, but with enough focus, he could guess there were at least three Pokemon coming towards him.

Soon, they were just ahead of him. His Lycanroc stood guard in front of the boy, standing low and growling, ready to battle at a moment's notice - but not yet attacking.

Hideo patted the Lycanroc on the back. "They're not attacking us," he noted, hearing the heaviest set of wings descend to the ground. Unless this was some kind of trap, they didn't seem hostile.

But considering what he'd already dealt with, it could still be a trap. He had to be careful here.

"...please tell me you guys aren't a Rocket's Pokemon." He doubted they were wild Pokemon - three different flying-types flying together in a cave had to have been trained by someone.

Isaac Merlo

Hideo didn't expect an answer he'd understand, instead just going off how the answer sounded. Seemed like a chipper answer - but one of the other birds didn't sound too happy with it? And the third sounded exasperated?

The Lycanroc glared at the three birds, very capable of understanding them - and very aware of how his trainer wanted to avoid Rocket in this place. But he was also aware that they weren't having much luck finding their way out of here on their own. He warily stood closer to his trainer, still making sure none of the birds attempted anything.

Hideo could feel the heat radiate off one of the birds as it flew somewhere, awkwardly sitting there as he could only wonder what the other bird was doing moving its talons along the ground.

He waited until it was finished, unable to bear witness to the bird's masterpiece. "...was that, uh, was that some kind of dance?" he asked, clueless. "I guess it sounded nice?..."

His Lycanroc opted to be a bit more helpful, barking out a question for the two remaining birds: how do we get out of these caves?

Isaac Merlo

As the two birds were at each of Hideo's sides, the Lycanroc remained in the middle, doing his best to keep an eye on them. They looked like they were keeping an eye out for anything else that might pop up, Pokemon or otherwise.

Hideo could only sit there, uncomfortably waiting for whoever was coming. He knew his initial guess (that these were a trainer's Pokemon) was correct the moment he heard another sound following flapping noises - a voice that he could understand. A human's voice.

Yet it did not put him at ease; he had no idea if this guy was with Rocket or not. Carefully, he reached into his pocket, holding a Pokeball in his hand - but keeping it minimized.

Once he heard the guy get close enough, he stood up. No harm in answering the man's questions, he thought to himself. "I think I got caught in some kind of portal," he said, unsteadily on his feet. "Next thing I know, I'm in this massive cave with no idea how to get out. Feels like this place goes on forever."

His Lycanroc warily watched the man, in-between keeping an eye on the birds.

"I'm not hurt at all…" He trailed off, thinking to Eris Halla , who had a horn in the shoulder - but he had no idea where she was now. And he didn't want to risk getting her in trouble for being involved with Rocket; uncomfortable as it was, he'd remain silent about her condition, in part because he had no idea where she was now. "My Pokemon have had to fight a bit, but nothing that needs more than first aid."

"Are you…uh…what are you doing here?" he asked. He didn't have any idea where this guy's allegiance lay, and he certainly wasn't eager to get caught up with any Rocket business. Last thing he needed was to get kidnapped or used as a hostage.

Isaac Merlo

Even if he didn't know where this guy's allegiance lied, there was some comfort in being able to talk to someone he could understand, that wasn't immediately trying to battle him. Or detain him. Or yell at him to go somewhere else.

"Yeah, seemed kinda obvious," Hideo said. "Big caves like these don't just appear in Hoenn out of nowhere. I heard a bit about the one around here, but this is my first time being in it." Nothing like the Mechanical Kingdom he'd been to so many times before.

He also didn't have to deal with a League vs Rocket conflict in one of the Wilds either.

He could hear the man let out another Pokemon, the boy clenching the Pokeball in his hand just a bit tighter. He could recognize the peeping of a Ralts very quickly, as well as the sound of a Teleport. "I had enough Potions on me to heal them up," he declined, "but thanks."

Quietly, Hideo listened as the man gave his own reasons for being here. He could catch on that the guy seemed somewhat aware of what Rocket and League were here for - enough to want to avoid getting in the thick of it. He'd imagine either side wouldn't be too keen on one of their own focusing on evacuating people over their objective, so Hideo still couldn't get a read which side this guy was on.

"Well…I know I'm not the only person that got dragged in here," Hideo added, "Though I lost track of where they went." He'd gotten separated from Aaron Toral a while ago, and Eris Halla …he had no idea where she'd gone, and he was pretty certain she didn't want him following her while she worked with Rocket. Worried as he was for her safety, the more attention he drew to her, the tougher things would get for the both of them.

Hideo's free hand tapped against his side. He still had the uncertainty in his mind, that this guy could be a Rocket with ill intentions, but he wasn't in much condition to refuse help. "So…you know the way out? You don't have to escort me all the way there. Just give me an idea which halls to go down. Should keep you free to look for other people."

Isaac Merlo

Hideo listened to the man's offer - to help find the others lost in the cave. Though the boy did bear concern for the others lost here, there was little he could do if he couldn't get out himself.

And whatever the man's allegiance, either case would cause trouble for one of his friends.

If this guy was with League, then helping him find Eris Halla would likely reveal she was still working with Rocket, something he doubted the League would take well. She might actually have to battle them for real if they found her at the wrong moment.

And if he was with Rocket, he knew Aaron Toral would not take it well. On top of Hideo's own distaste for Rocket, Aaron had outright attacked one during their battle against Eris. Things could be messy if that guy told the other Rockets about that attempt.

Not to mention tipping them off that Eris didn't actually deal with Hideo and Aaron.

"Well, um…" Hideo had to settle for something fast - choosing to go with a selfish answer. "It's been a while since I was last with either of them. Might've been over an hour…and I just want to get out of here. I don't think I'll be much help at this point anyway."

Which wasn't far from the truth: he wasn't exactly good at tracking people down.

The man's second offer, however, was more tempting. A single Pokemon was easier to get away from than a person, his Lycanroc well-suited to knocking out a bird if necessary - and he had plenty more Pokemon if needed. It didn't preclude the chance of it leading him into an ambush, but it gave him a better shot of escaping it.

Hideo sighed. "Alright. I'll go with one of your Pokemon. Should free you up to keep looking." And give him a chance to get out of here.

Isaac Merlo

Hideo could consider himself fortunate that the man didn't push him further to assist. He did want to make sure his friends were safe, but there was only so much he could do with what he had.

It sounded like the heavier bird would be the one escorting him. Maybe a bit tougher than the other birds, but still manageable. He was even given a method for getting the bird away from him - just act like he was in trouble and needed help, then dash away the moment it flew away. He could even arrange one of his own Pokemon to play the part of the "threat".

Hideo nodded towards the offer. "That works for me. If any trouble comes up, Hal there can get you."

There was just the last bit - the man asking about the others he'd encountered. The boy took a moment to consider just what was safe sharing.

"I…didn't get their names." Everything else he'd said about them were half-truths at best, but that was the first complete lie he gave the man. Not that he was unfamiliar with using them, but those could be tougher to use, and gave less room to maneuver if they were uncovered. "We didn't get to stick together for long."

"But I do know one of them was a boy and one was a girl. Both around my age." A small truth to divert from the lie - one that didn't give much information on who either of them actually were. "They both had some tough Pokemon of their own, so they should be able to handle themselves for a while."

That last bit was, in part, to assuage his own concern for them - Aaron and Eris were tough. They could handle themselves…

Right?

Isaac Merlo