Hideo had made sure to bring some extra food this time, to share with the Megalopolan lady they'd encountered last time. His thanks for her guiding them away from danger the last time they were here, and giving them a safe place to visit when they needed one. She, in turn, seemed to greatly appreciate their company, otherworldly or otherwise.

A Beheeyem would be with Hideo this time around, the human-like Pokemon pointing Hideo's attention towards a large tower off in the distance. "Elga's saying there's some kind of flickering light over there," Hideo said, pointing towards its direction. The illumination it (briefly) provided made it seem like the tallest building in the area.

"I'd say any source of light in this darkness is worth looking into. Wanna go check that place out first?" Not like he had any ideas for where else they could visit.

20 the city's tallest tower, lesser megalo tower, may occasionally flicker with a blinding light. every time the light turns on, the crazed megalopolans will attempt to flock toward it.

Eva Morales CIAN MAHER

The oppressive darkness was known even to Hideo; he didn't need his Beheeyem to tell him of how eerie the whole place was. They could only make their way toward the building, taking note of how many zombie-like Megalopolans were crowding the area.

He nodded as Eva Morales pointed out the implications of the light - that there was some kind of danger waiting there. It wouldn't dissuade him from investigating; if anything, it just made him want to investigate more, to find out what else had managed to survive in this dark, desolate wild.

While her Iron Valiant searched for hidden dangers, he'd work on helping manage the more immediate one.

He let out another Pokemon - a Cutiefly. "Light up and get their attention," he whispered, "We'll go around back. Elga'll let you know when to come back." The Cutiefly buzzed up into the air, flying above the horde - and her body lit up with the distinct light of an Illumina Pokemon. She'd draw away the horde, leaving an opening for the group to approach the back entrance CIAN MAHER had pointed out.

utilize an ultra beast or illumina pokemon in an advantageous way

Eva Morales CIAN MAHER

It wouldn't be long before the Cutiefly made her return, unlit and taking a spot right atop Hideo's head. She'd handled her decoy task much better than his Joltik did last time, making herself comfortable in his hair.

Hideo had to leave the observations of the building to Eva Morales and CIAN MAHER - and his Beheeyem, the latter giving him the best assessment it could. "Wouldn't surprise me," he said, trying not to cough from the dust. "Gotta have someone doing the paper-pushing, even if their tech is super-advanced."

Though not advanced enough for their elevators to keep working. Or to have stairs? "Well, worse comes to worse, we could just make a hole to go up and-"

Eva's warning was quiet, but sudden. Hideo nearly asked what it was, only holding back from the implication of why it was so quiet. His Beheeyem helped him move back, positioning him behind some cover.

His Beheeyem peeked around, to try and get a look of whatever had been spotted. It spotted the creature, sending a quick description to the three explorers and their Pokemon.

Humanoid, tall, colorful, round dotted head, laying down.

Hideo didn't know what his Beheeyem was describing, but the others might be able to put together what it was - or they could just see it with their own eyes: a Blacephalon. And it was starting to stand up.

22 encounter one or several blacephalon slumbering in a building, alleyway, or any place else in the city. they will use their move, MIND BLOWN to detonate their ever-spawning head like a firework. every explosion will attract danger to the area as they prance about before fleeing.

Eva Morales CIAN MAHER

Hideo could feel at least some relief that it wasn't one of his own Pokemon that rushed ahead this time and blew their cover.

That relief ended at the consequences of said blown cover, the building shaking at the impact of the explosion. Hideo got to avoid the brunt of it, courtesy of the cover his Beheeyem pulled him in, but he wasn't sure how long that cover would last.

"I know!" Hideo answered, waiting for his Beheeyem's cue to make the run for it. He didn't need it, after hearing whatever it was Eva just did shove the Blacephalon to the side.

He didn't hesitate to follow her order, rushing towards the exit - holding on to his Beheeyem's hand to ensure it didn't fall behind.

Eva Morales CIAN MAHER

Out of the explosive frying pan, and into the dark freezer. They just kept running, to get away from that Ultra Beast, to keep away from any Megalopolans that tried to pursue them, until they just couldn't run any more.

There was still so much they didn't know; where exactly were they? What had happened here to zombify so many of what he assumed were this city's inhabitants? Why was it so dark all the time? Why were there explosive Ultra Beasts wandering around abandoned buildings?

"Don't think I'll be any help with directions," Hideo jested, between tired breaths. "And Elga here was more focused on keeping me from tripping over anything to keep track where we ran."

At best, his Beheeyem told him of the countless sea of stars shining above them. At least some light still shined here.

No guiding star, though. Not that they'd expected any in one of the Wilds.

"Can't say I'm too keen on camping, but I don't feel like we're in shape to rush back." They had to to be careful of anything that they'd encounter along the way too, and if it was another Ultra Beast, they had to be at full power to beat it.

"Here, I got a Pokemon that can keep watch while we rest." He let put a Banette, the plushie-like ghost waving to the others. "I don't think this guy sleeps anyways. He can keep watch - even keep himself from getting noticed."

The Banette nodded, backflipping into its own shadow, slipping in halfway into a Phantom Force. The top half of its body still stuck outside, like it was hanging onto the side of a pool.

"Might as well make ourselves as comfortable as we can." The Mechanical Kingdom would've been a much nicer place to stay.

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Eva Morales CIAN MAHER