When an underboss invites you somewhere, you never question it. You just go. Yet even the unwavering Oscar felt put off as he traveled to a cavern deep under Ever Grande. If he did not know any better, he would think that this would be a great place to leave the body of a freshly killed scientist. An amusing idea, Theo would never want to hurt Oscar right? Right?

In all seriousness, Oscar would be lying if he said he was not nervous. Yet he did not reflect his anxiety as he approached Theo within the cavern. He had every right to feel fear, but it was up to him not to let it get in the way of his work. "Theo." Oscar replied with a whimsical tone as he finished his advance.

"I'm okay, feeling a little tired." Oscar paused as he appreciated the natural beauty of the cavern, perhaps searching for a hint on why he had been called there. "You did not pick an easy place to meet up. What are you planning?"

THEO BECKETT

Oscar was tempted to focus on the crimson gyrados but he kept his eyes solely on Theo. Not to be cool or anything, he just thought it would be more polite. Don't get him wrong, the gyrados was terrifying. But to break eye contact during a conversation? What was he, a neanderthal?

Oscar nodded his head thoughtfully. "I was. My documented illness reached a point where I could no longer perform my duties. I went to Unova for treatment, and as you can see it worked." Oscar motioned to himself dramatically, inserting a little humor into an otherwise serious report.

Oscar clapped his hands together, "Thus I have returned, although much has changed in the short time I was gone."

THEO BECKETT

Oscar nodded as he shifted his weight, taking on a more casual stance with his legs while folding his arms across his chest. "Yep, everything is up to date. Well, except with whatever happened on route 120. No one can give me a straight answer about it, I am assuming it was some sort of mass delusion."

Oscar tilted his head, his cheeks getting a bit red as he recalled another pressing change. "The hardest change has been with Zapdos. It left my side when I got too sick. I thought that I had lost it entirely but at the very least it seems content with living at the power plant. That was a pleasant surprise to come home to. Other than that, everything is as it was before I left."

Oscar did not like admitting to failures, though he supposed that the loss of the thunder bird was not a huge misstep considering that he still seemed to have its favor.

THEO BECKETT

Oscar made a brief exaggerated frown, reeling at the harsh truth behind Theo's words. It was not unwelcome though, if Oscar could trust anyone to provide some brutal honesty it was Theo. Still, his failure stung--or more so the failure of his body. Where would he be now if his sickness had never occurred?

It did not matter, the past was the past. It was time to focus on now. Yet the present would prove just as perilous as Theo pulled out a pokeball. Oscar's blood ran cold, and his placid facade melted.

"I--that's not--you couldn't--"

Did he?

THEO BECKETT

It was a harsh truth, but Oscar agreed. Zapdos has untapped potential, and the weakness of his physical body prevented Oscar from tapping into it. He was a little relieved to hear that Theo was not holding Zapdos's ball, how he would have gotten his hands on it would have kept Oscar up for months. The former beast was still surprised to learn that Zapdos was here, hiding within the cavern.

Oscar looked around, as if trying to locate the legendary bird's position on his own. When he failed, his eyes would rest upon Theo. Oscar was not sure what Theo had in mind, but if it was to make Rocket stronger--he would have to trust him. He gave the underboss a nod before cupping his hands and calling upward.

"Zapdos! Can you hear me? It's Oscar Clayton! Reveal yourself!"

THEO BECKETT