It had been distant shouting, that drew El's attention. It echoed strangely through the tunnels - enough that they had initially worried that they were going to end up stumbling on some Ultra Beast nest or something if they wandered any further down this way.

However, Bibidi reaching out with her mental presence was able to confirm that there weren't any Ultra Beasts up ahead. Rather, she could sense humans - agitated humans, at that. Something seemed to be brewing up ahead...

Which, while the possibility of danger did occur to El, they wasted no time in picking up the pace - at least, as much as their cane and bad leg would allow them. "C'mon, Bibidi." If there was the chance that someone over there needed help, they were going to be there to provide it - it could be the difference between life or death for someone, in such a dangerous place, after all.

But what El saw as they turned the corner was - perhaps - not what they had initially expected. They saw a child - with one of the two blades of a Doublade in hand - and a pair of Rocket grunts, one of whom was crumpled on the ground. Shock and bewilderment were the predominant emotions on El's face at first - why was a kid here? Why was there a kid in Ultra Deep Sea? Did she get lost and fall in by accident, like they did initially?

But as the initial shock passed, their expression changed to realization, and then a sort of righteous indignance. It appeared as though the girl was trying to protect herself against the pair of grunts - and even for all of El's more pacifist leanings, they couldn't just sit by idly as a kid was endangered. "HEY! Get away from her this instant!" They shouted at the grunts - and throwing a pokeball, they sent out Behemoth.

The nidoking - small enough to be mistaken for a nidorino - would emerge between Eris and the two grunts, letting out a courageous roar. His eyes flicked between the two grunts - waiting to see who would bring out a pokemon first, eager for something to test his mettle against.

El, meanwhile, moved to approach Eris - speaking more kindly. "Hey - over here, Bibidi and I are here to help. Are you okay?" They couldn't help but briefly glance towards the radio and discarded headset - their expression briefly quizzical - but they quickly turned their attentions back to Eris. The safety of innocents - especially a child - was more important to them, ultimately.

Eris Halla

El takes a step forward, the girl takes a step back - it's plain to see that she wants her personal space, be it out of wariness or fear, or just preference. Realizing that to advance any further would just mean cornering her, they stop their approach. "Alright." They agree in a gentle tone - not wanting to argue. Though, as they look her up and down a second time and notice what might be bandages under the girl's sleeve, a hue of concern flickers over their expression...

... She was hurt, wasn't she? And even that aside, she seemed exhausted...

Thus, it's after a moment of thought that they add "Two against one ain't really fair, though - and you never know when something'll sneak up on us." As if to convey what they mean, they briefly glanced over their shoulder - down the tunnels they just came from. All it'd take is an Ultra Beast or other Rockets showing up while they're distracted, for things to become complicated. "I'm not asking you to just sit on the sidelines... But let me back you up, at least - okay?"

Safety in numbers, after all.

The nervous grunt isn't immediately keen on engaging the nidoking, meanwhile - his eyes glancing between Eris, El, and Behemoth, as if to try and make up his mind on whether to stay or flee while he had the chance. The crumpled grunt, on the other hand, twists his expression into a snarl as he pushes himself back up onto his feet. He reaches for a pokeball...

... And Behemoth, eyes lighting up at the potential for a fight, is already eagerly preparing - thumping his fists against his chest and bellowing out as he pumps himself up with Focus Energy...!

The noise quickly draws El's and Bibidi's attentions both - though the alakazam hangs back alongside her trainer. The ranger-in-training, meanwhile, narrows their gaze - observing the grunts closely, with an expression somewhere between discomfort and determination. They didn't want to fight - but they were even less willing to leave an injured child behind.

Eris Halla

As Eris falls quiet, El's attentions settle on the grunts and the fight that is sparking. A Tyrantrum is brought out - and though Behemoth makes an attempt to intercept the larger beast, it seems that the girl's Luxray has the jurassic 'mon more than handled.

(Though; could a Luxray really learn moves like that..??)

So, the nidoking instead turned his attentions to the other grunt - who finds some confidence when his malding compatriot sent out a pokemon - proceeding to send out one of his own. As the Throh comes out, Behemoth charges near-immediately, and both pokemon lock hands as they begin to push at eachother in some facsimile of a sumo match. When neither pokemon is able to gain nor lose ground on the other though, Behemoth snorts - and without hesitation, he sends the fighting-type reeling back with a Megahorn-empowered headbutt!

The Throh stumbles - but it isn't backing down anytime soon. At the grunt's command, it charges Behemoth - swinging a punch to his gut in Revenge, that knocks the breath out of him in a drawn-out snarl!

El winces at this, chewing on their lower lip a little - less out of any fear of losing, and more out of empathy for how that probably hurt. "Y- You can do it, Behemoth - keep at it!" They encourage their pokemon - he wouldn't go down easily, even for his small size, after all.

And Behemoth would get a breath in to let out a roar in the Throh's direction in response - his tenacity plain to see.

It would be easier, if everyone could stop fighting, wouldn't it? But sadly, it didn't seem that things would quite go that way. And though El opens their mouth to try and respond to Eris, a call from the Tyrantrum cuts them off.

The Tyrantrum is ensnared - and as electricity races through the wires binding it, it bellows in something between frustration and a little bit of pain. Spasming muscles send it tumbling to the ground - unable to properly move or fight when restrained like this... But, as it would soon prove, it wasn't completely helpless.

As if to express its indignant rage over this treatment, the beast acts without its trainer's direction - and it begins to thrash wildly. Wildly enough, in fact, to set off an Earthquake as its thrashing slams its limbs into the ground, roaring with fury!

The Throh and Behemoth both are caught up in the chaotic tremor - stumbling and alarmed. But while the fighting-type is able to remain firmly on its feet, the nidoking is struck by a piece of not-rock that falls from the ceiling above, drawing out a snarl of pain.

El, meanwhile, has to lean into Bibidi to avoid falling over from the tremors - though their gaze casts to Eris' crafty fighting style with... More than a little concern, given her proximity to the conflict. Should they have Behemoth disengage to help her, given that the Tyrantrum seems the bigger threat? Or should they let her handle it, given the independent streak she seemed to display before..?

But, the fighting doesn't wait - the Throh comes in to grab Behemoth for a Vital Throw. Though the beast is slammed into the ground, he snarls with promised intentions to return the favor --

-- "Behemoth, Helping Hand!" --

-- Until El's call has him glancing towards the other pokemon. Behemoth's gaze settles upon Reiner - and grinning wide, he makes a bellow towards the Luxray both to cheer him on, and to encourage (or perhaps more accurately challenge) him to bring out the big guns!

Empowered by the Helping Hand and Z-Power alike, Reiner does more than just bring out the big guns.

He brings out the biggest gun.

It's like some god has decided to smite the Throh and Tyrantrum alike, with the storm that the Luxray summons - a torrent of lightning crashing down upon the two enemy pokemon without mercy. Even though Behemoth is part ground, he feels the need to step back and away from the attack - not wanting to test the limits of the immunity he has.

And to noone's surprise, the two pokemon are left plenty hurting from this. The Tyrantrum is knocked out and recalled by the malding grunt - and though the Throh just barely manages to stay standing... It doesn't stay that way for long, before Behemoth deals a final blow with Earth Power.

With Eris holding up the malding grunt at swordpoint though, it seems the fight is thoroughly over with - and the nervous grunt, potentially fearing for the consequences that may follow if he sticks around, begins to turn tail and run!

Neither El nor Behemoth make any attempt to stop the fleeing grunt - and instead, the nidoking steps over to Eris and the grunt she has hostage. "Think you'd - uhm - be okay with letting Behemoth keep an eye on him for you?" El asks Eris - glancing between the three of them briefly. They didn't want to make her feel like they were trying to do everything for her and whatnot...

... But it would be hard to give her any first aid - (assuming she needed any, they were concerned about the bandages they glimpsed) - if she was busy pointing a Doublade at someone.

El watched with curiosity as Reiner dropped the metallic thing atop the grunt - and briefly, as it began to move, they couldn't help but wonder what it was. An Ultra Beast? Some sort of odd object from one of these rifts? The work of a pokemon? They kinda wanted to know more...

... Although, their focuses would shift as Eris posed a question - and in response, the young adult couldn't help a sheepish chuckle and smile. "Well, I mean... I'm doing it right now, I suppose? I just want to help people." They spoke - casting a friendly smile in the younger girl's direction. "Patch people up, help them get somewhere safe, share supplies... That sort of stuff, yknow?" And even Rocket members were valid recipients, if they didn't cause a fuss.

As if to prove their point though, El would let out their togekiss. "Go patch the others up, Akero." And at their direction, the togekiss whistled happily - flying overhead, to sprinkle some Life Dew over Behemoth and Eris' pokemon.

With the pokemon being taken care of, El glanced back to Eris - and a hue of sympathy and concern crossed their expression, as they thought to what they saw before. "I - uhm - noticed you had some bandages on, by the way. If you're hurt, Akero and I could help - wash any injuries you have with some Life Dew, and replace your bandages with some fresh ones." They offered - pulling a first aid kit out of their bag.

That she needed first aid at all though, it... It really bothered them, even if they wanted to accept this kid as someone who could take care of herself, given how she handled herself in the fight. Someone that young shouldn't have to take care of herself, in a place this dangerous.

Rather than voice those thoughts though, El instead gestured to the alakazam at their side. "Also - Bibidi here, she can help teleport us out of here, if you're lost." They offered, continuing "She knows where a few exits are, and a couple outposts you could safely rest up at." League outposts, to be specific - but El didn't yet realize Eris' affiliations.

But their intentions were genuine and earnest, to say the least - their heart worn on their sleeve. The only question now, was whether Eris was actually interested.

Suppooooort

Eris Halla