Lucia Aldrete 's objections did nothing to dissuade Hideo from trying to protect her - though "try" was the key word here; Hideo was no fighter, and his attempts to distract the creature with thrown mochi proved ineffective.

Soon, the assaults would stop, the creature distracted by its next quarry - and in short order, it'd be pulled back, their job considered complete. He had a moment to breathe before approaching Lucia.

"You ok?" was all he could get out before the torrent of water crashed down from above them. He struggled to keep his balance, let alone his breath as the water reached every part of his body, bitter cold seeping into every part of him. Even as the water relented, he was left a shuddering mess.

They were soon herded off, Hideo doing his best to stay close to his ward, even as the chain applied its pressure. Their path seemed to go on forever, even further than it felt like when they were first herded here. The details of their path were lost on him - so instead, his mind wandered, realizing he'd forgotten something.

"I'm Hideo," he said, realizing that he'd never introduced himself to the girl he tried to protect.

He complied with the rest of the instructions he was given: when the fresh, dry clothes were offered, it changed into them, the peach scent reaching his nose, but barely registering. Once they reach their wards, he's unable to utter a word to Lucia as the chain pulls him away, sending him back into his cell.

Reuniting with Genevieve Cromwell carried regret; in his efforts to protect and support Lucia, he'd done nothing for his cellmate. "...thank you for helping me, Cromwell," he said, unsure how to comfort her otherwise.

He'd eat the Mochi he was given; no amount of scooping would dissuade his hungry stomach. And once it was time to go to sleep, he'd go to their cot. He was pretty sure they could share it; he was small enough for that.

They'd gotten through their first day. Hardly enough time to learn their routine, but he still learned. And if he could learn the routine, he could learn its holes, its weaknesses, the moments he could go out on his own.

But that would be tomorrow's work. Tonight he'd rest.

Genevieve Cromwell

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Hideo had his emotional armor up, ready for the same scoldings paxton concordas gave him. He was expecting a similar degree to what Alexei Ivanov got during the Gym Leader meeting, and he was ready to say the same words that'd gotten Paxton off his case - that he'd be more open, that he'd trust the League more.

But that armor didn't prepare him for empathy, her words catching him off guard and leaving him speechless for a moment.

The unused armor now just felt like a pointless weight.

"Oh." It'd take another moment before he said anything else. "Uh, thank you. For understanding."

He could hear her throw glass around, the starting of a blaze clear to hear. He could also hear Uxie joining in, several other beakers tossed around as a grin sat on the pixie's face - though it also gently guided Hideo away from the ensuing destruction.

"If…if I did get involved with AQUA, even just as a free agent, what would I be doing? I already help the region as a Gym Leader, so…"

He'd already had this kind of discussion with Melody Miro , with the prospect of using Uxie's memory manipulation on the table. One he wasn't too sure if he was comfortable with.

Then again, he didn't entirely know what AQUA did, other than fight big threats. Which he technically already helped do.

Destroy it and the workshop. +50 points

freya morningstar

His comforts offered, Hideo could only await the results. He could hear quite a few voices vote to Forsake - but they were outnumbered by Trusts. He'd try to remember the voices who voted for Forsake - they were the ones to be careful of, the ones he couldn't trust.

Fortunately, they weren't the only side('s majority) to make the right choice. "See?" Hideo said to Lucia Aldrete , "It'll be alright. We just gotta stick together, ok?"

And when they're herded off to a platform, Hideo made sure to stick close to her. He had to push down his own fears, his own anxiety, to be strong for her, so they could both get through this. It wasn't simply because he was a Gym Leader, who should lead by example; he felt a personal responsibility to keep someone younger than him safe.

He'd been on the other end too many times to not return the favor, even if indirectly.

He was sure John Sullivan would get on his ass if he didn't.

And on the topic of things on his ass - his ass just got tossed by Okidogi. Hideo was really not a fan of this dog.

His landing was a mix of soft and rough. He could tell he definitely landed on some mochi, but there was some other stuff it felt like he landed on. He couldn't tell what it was - a mixture of hard stuff and goopy stuff.

His blindness could be a blessing sometimes; he had no idea about the bits of body strewn across the floor. And his focus was more on reuniting with Lucia, to help her get through this ordeal.

Just focus on their job. Keep the wardens' eyes off them.

And find his way through this ordeal.

Even as the Ugly Ward spited the Dummy Ward, chaining them down, he kept to his work, trying to stay close to Lucia. Even as a familiar voice (Cillian Quinn 's) sent a chill down his spine, he kept to his work, helping Lucia if she needed it. Even as something was sent loose, attacking everyone in here, he kept to his work. Even as his cellmate, Genevieve Cromwell , sounded like she was at wit's end, he kept working.

Even if hearing Eris Halla 's voice tempted him to break away, to go find and help her, he stayed where he was; he didn't know how many people would be in the way, or what he might trip over, or if the creature going loose on everyone would turn its attention to him.

He just stayed cleaning, helping the one person he knew he could help. The best he could do was keep cleaning, and if that creature attacking him came towards them…he could try and distract it, to keep it away from Lucia.

It was all he could do.

Continues comforting Lucia Aldrete

Realizes it's the duty of the tol to protect the smol

and he's no longer the smol here

Completely unaware there's a dead body down here, just focuses on cleaning

And tries to keep Lucia safe

Can barely recognize Cillian Quinn 's voice

Can definitely recognize Eris Halla 's voice, but just powers through work

Will try to protect Lucia if she gets attacked by Ogerpon

w9Ej_1F7

Genevieve Cromwell

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"It's fine if Charles is in the room with us. Just, he won't be joining you in the dream itself."

To the rest, Hideo nodded along. "That's a pretty noble goal to have! I imagine you got a lot on your plate, being a princess and an ambassador. The story you chose is a good test of how you behave with power."

They'd soon reach the room, a Pokemon opening the door psychically for them. The room itself was well-furnished, with a nice chair for Hideo to sit upon and a comfy couch for the challenger. A pair of Musharna sat upon both seats, and a number of Psychic and Fairy Pokemon were scattered about, watching Hideo and Elise as they entered.

There was more than enough space for the shard Calyrex to sit, if he so desired. He was also free to wait outside if so desired.

(And wherever the Clayrex waited, the "Ralts" would wait as well).

Hideo went to his own seat, the one with a book resting upon it; there was little in terms of illustrations on the book, the words A Monster In The Woods its most striking feature - apart from the braille lettering one could run their fingers along. He swept it up, taking a seat with the same motion.

The Musharna above him descended onto the armrest of his chair.

"You can take a seat on the couch," Hideo said, the Musharna upon it willing to move as needed. "You'll want to make yourself comfortable, 'cause this'll take some time."

Once Elise was seated, Hideo would begin. "All you'll need to do is close your eyes, and give it a moment. Just focus on my words, and let them do their work."

His Pokemon went to work, the Musharnas letting out some Dream Mist as they would Hypnotize Elise into a peaceful slumber.

"You'll find yourself in the middle of a dark, foreboding forest…"

Elise Calcifet

[player]https://file.garden/Ze-SbFmahEcRvg_Y/StoryBegin.mp3[/player]

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"Good job, Lam!" Hideo said, a few of the psychic Pokemon maintaining the illusion approaching him. He handed his Pokemons' Pokeballs over to one of them, a fairy-type approaching the Galarian Zigzagoon to throw a Heal Pulse its way.

"Your team did well too! Victory is yours today - though before I give you your badge: was there anything you would have wanted to do differently in this battle, now that you've reached its conclusion?"

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[player]https://file.garden/Ze-SbFmahEcRvg_Y/Welcome.mp3[/player]

Hideo was used to having high-profile challengers; Gym Leaders, ex-Elite Four members, even the Champion. The Galarian Ambassador was a whole other tier in his mind, so he would make sure to do his best.

(Which wasn't to say he didn't try for his other challengers).

He was quick to go meet her once his Pokemon informed him of her arrival. Quite a few of his Pokemon notified him; a lot of the ones staffing the Gym took a chance to take a look at the Pokemon accompanying her, for even a shard of Calyrex was an impressive sight.

But today wasn't about admiring Legendary Pokemon - she was here to do his non-traditional challenge, and he'd treat her like any other challenger.

"Thank you for coming, Ms. Calcifet," he said, raising a hand to greet her. The "Ralts" on his shoulder helped guide him to her, though its attention seemed squarely on the Shard Calyrex. "I've already got the room set up for your non-traditional challenge. I'll lead you to the room, if you'll follow me. Your Pokemon there can join us too, though uh, he's not exactly gonna be joining you in there."

With that said, Hideo would lead her towards the challenge room - though it wouldn't be a quiet walk. "So I like to ask all my challengers this: what made you decide to go with There's A Monster In The Woods for today's challenge?"

The "Ralts" on his shoulder wasn't doing its job, still focused on the Calyrex shard. Hideo's other Pokemon picked up the slack, seamlessly keep him oriented so he didn't veer off track.

Elise Calcifet

Hideo hadn't asked for help - but he wouldn't refuse it being given to him freely.

The first voice, Lucia Aldrete 's, he didn't recognize. Even up close, where it was easier to hear past the mask, he didn't know who it was, though she sounded young - younger than him. "Thanks," Hideo said, just as he heard Genevieve Cromwell 's voice speaking to him, encouraging to keep a cool head. "Don't worry; I'm used to this kinda stuff."

He just stuck with his work, even when it sounded like the Okidogi beat someone (Shred Zeppelin ) to near-death. He kept working until he was told the job was done.

And then he found out what would become of people trying to smuggle shards. He didn't know if it was simply them getting caught from unsubtlety, or the guards here had some supernatural sense, but he'd made the right call holding off.

It was the consequence of being caught that really sent a chill down Hideo's spine; he could recognize the sound of a Pokeball being smashed (thanks, Melmetal), but that meaty bit added to it told him what his eyes couldn't; those were people's Pokemon getting smashed.

Each *crunch* had Hideo grip his shoulder tighter. Had the consequence for disobedience merely been getting hurt, then he'd take a risk at some point. But with his Pokemons' lives on the line?

He couldn't risk their lives. He wouldn't let himself be responsible for any more of their deaths.

He'd play these games for now, until he could get his team back. Then free as many people and Pokemon as he could.

Then he'd burn this place down.

Presented with their next choice, Hideo could immediately recognize what they were dealing with. It was something to get his mind off the potential deaths of his Pokemon. "The Prisoner's Dilemma," he said. "I…know about this one. Best outcome is if we both choose to Trust. The consequences for Forsaking are so much worse."

Both Forsaking would be a far worse punishment, and one side Forsaking while the other Trusted sounded like a slightly less worse punishment for the Trusting side. The punishment for double-Trust was explicitly survivable; no-one had to die.

And he would not let himself be responsible for more deaths. "I'm saying Trust."

Though it sounded like the girl that helped him earlier wasn't taking the choice very well. He walked over to her, following the sound of her crying, and reaching out to put a hand on her shoulder. "We gotta stay strong for them," he told her. "We'll get them free. We just need to get through this, alright?"

Thanks for help, homies (Lucia Aldrete , Genevieve Cromwell )

Damn Shred Zeppelin sounds like he got his ass beat

Feels validated for assessing things before trying to smuggle

Not a fan of the consequences. Scared his team could get killed if he gets caught doing something bad

Wants to free everyone first, then burn place down

Recognizes the Prisoner's Dilemma

Chooses to Trust

Tries to comfort Lucia Aldrete

Genevieve Cromwell

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