For the time being, Yggy was content to just gnaw on Ceres' leg - even as the torterra eventually came to a stop. This appeared to be working, after all! However, much to the turtwig's surprise, she'd suddenly find herself with no leg to gnaw on when Ceres withdrew into her shell! Pried off, Yggy would plop onto the ground with a surprised little squawk - though she was quick to get back up onto her feet. Okay, now what was this nonsense, her expression seemed to ask?

Initially, Yggdrasil would stay in place - as if puzzled at what, exactly, to do with this... But furrowing her brows, she'd decide to hop onto Ceres' shell itself - and attempted to start biting at it with Crunch! Did she hope that the defense-lowering properties of the attack would be enough to actually do something?

Meanwhile though, there was Echo - who was producing quite the orb of water. Though the sight initially gave Behemoth pause, El's eyes lit up upon seeing the Life Dew. Not only did their bookish nerdiness serve them well, but that was the same move one of their own pokemon had, as well! "Keep going, Behemoth!" They'd call, to try and encourage the nidoking onwards.

Which, that encouragement seemed to prompt recognition in Behemoth's own eyes, as he came to the same conclusion that El did. Without anything to fear, he'd attempt to leap for Echo once more with another Poison Jab - both to try and strike the ralts, and to try and make the Life Dew his own...!

Isaac Merlo

El had noticed the smoke even before they had reached the outpost - which had been alarming enough. To find it in ruins when they actually arrived though, with a mysterious man in a strange suit standing over it, had initially given them more than a little pause. Who was this person, they wondered? Was he the culprit? It certainly seemed so, given the fire-type Ceruledge at his side. Which meant that this person was a Rocket...

... And El, seeing the danger inherent there, couldn't help but tense a bit, the grip on their cane tightening.

It took a second for them to realize that he had been asking them a question - and after a momentary blink, they'd finally open their mouth. "I... I'm not lost." They spoke, the tension and nervousness in their voice likely plenty apparent. Yet despite that, they attempted to stand tall the best they could - trying to put on the appearance of some form of courage. "I know it's - well - dangerous, and I don't look much, but... I-I'm able take care of myself." Not wanting to be rude though, they'd quickly add "T-thank you for your concern, though."

With that though, El was moving - not towards or even necessarily away from Seraphim and his Ceruledge, but rather to one of the ruined tents. "Bibidi - is anyone else here?" They'd question their Alakazam - using their cane to carefully push aside some of the burnt fabric to see if there was anything salvageable, or anyone left behind in the midst of this chaos.

Bibidi - whose gaze had been locked on Seraphim - would think for a second, before spreading out her awareness. Looking for any other minds in the area, besides Seraphim's and the Ceruledge's own. Stretching out the scope of her focus like this may result in a brief brush against the two's minds - but it was unintrusive, the equivalent of lightly bumping someone's shoulder or briefly meeting their gaze...

TLDR:
- Worth noting El has a cane, and probably isn't hard to see that they favor their left leg a bit more.
- El is a bit spooked by Amor and Ceruledge being here, recognizes them to possibly be Rocket.
- They mention that they aren't lost + can take care of themself, but thank Seraphim for the concern anyways.
- Begins investigating the outpost to see if any salvageable supplies or injured people are still present - asks Bibidi (their Alakazam) to help look for people.
- Bibidi spreads out her psychic awareness to search for other minds in the outpost - results in a gentle and unintrusive brush against Seraphim's and Ceruledge's minds in the process.


Amor Rose

El took in a deep, somewhat shaky, breath at Blackjack's praise and subsequent advice - their eyes briefly scanning the battlefield to try and take stock of everyone. Behemoth and Yggy both were engaging Ceres - which did leave Echo unoccupied, though they had figured that Echo would likely be distracted thinking Behemoth was chasing after, at least for a few moments... Though, the shimmer of psychic energy would suddenly catch El's eye!

They initially opened their mouth to warn the nidoking - but a bellow from Ceres interrupted them, and had their attention snapping away. The mankey part of their brain demanded to focus on the louder and more 'prevalent' attack coming Yggy's way - and El, perhaps a little flustered, would blurt "Y-Yggy!?"

Yggy, however, seemed to have this situation handled. Rather than try to match the charge head-on or dodge it, she would decide to just go with the flow instead! Namely, by using Crunch to try and latch onto one of Ceres' legs, and be carried along for the ride! It'd be a bumpy ride mind you - but she was going to be the most tenacious anklebiter that Ceres has ever seen!

Which, it certainly came as a relief to El that Yggy wouldn't need too much supervision - although as their attention snapped back to Behemoth, it was already a bit too late to warn him.

The Nidoking snarled and staggered as psychic energy jolted through him - though even if it left him hurting, he wasn't down for the count. His lips curled in a growl, as he turned his gaze onto Echo once more - You, his gaze seemed to say. Snorting, he'd charge at her on all fours - clearly going for as much agility as he could muster - and raising up one of his claws as he got close, he'd attempt to swipe at the Ralts with Poison Jab!

El, meanwhile, was visibly wincing - they had gotten a bit distracted, even if a good half of that was reflexes getting in the way. Which resulted in Behemoth getting hurt.

Isaac Merlo

El exhaled with relief, quietly thankful to no longer be wrangling someone's lost zigzagoon.

The zigzagoon had been a cute little fella for sure, following them dutifully for the most part - but he was so prone to getting off track, and so very wiggly when they tried to pick him up to bring him back on track. Ultimately though, it had been worth being able to hand him off to a ranger helping with evacuations, who'd be able to get the little guy back to his family. They could already imagine the little kid's happy face, at knowing their best friend was safe and sound - and that thought warmed El's heart aplenty.

Now it was on to the next task at hand - which presently... They weren't actually all that sure! As much as they could go back to Ultra Deep Sea, knowing where an alternate entrance was, they weren't wholly keen in heading back in immediately. The place was creepy, to say the least... Which left hanging around outside the Ultra Space - in Dewford and Granite - to find ways to lend a hand.

It wasn't as if they were completely directionless, though. They remembered seeing some Rangers gathering to set up an outpost somewhere around here - and they were sure if they found the outpost, they'd be able to see who needed help with what. As long as they were able to offer aid - especially for the innocent civillians who had gotten caught up in this mess - they were happy to do whatever!

Thus, El wasted no time in heading down the eerily empty streets of Dewford - walking cane in hand, and their alakazam Bibidi at their side. Things seemed quiet for now - which put the young adult at ease, but well... If only they knew that things were about to take a turn for the chaotic, very soon...

Amor Rose

When El had first entered the Ultra Deep Sea, it had been by complete accident. They had simply been trying to look for some civillian's lost pet zigzagoon - and in wandering a little too far from the outskirts of Dewford, had fallen into one of the alternate entrances offered by the expanding rift into this otherworldly place. It was there that they had run into Isaac Merlo - or to be more specific, Blackjack - and had to prove to him that they would be able to take care of themself on what was more or less the active battlefield of a war.

After proving themself, they had been content to stay out of Deep Sea for a little while - helping with cargo and the like outside. But it didn't take long for a thought to itch at the back of their mind - namely, that there might've been others who had fallen into the twisting labyrinth of Deep Sea by accident, like they did. That there were likely people who were injured, left behind as the chaos moved deeper and deeper within. People who, ultimately, needed help in some shape or form.

And well - El, being the bleeding heart that they were, couldn't just leave those people waiting. Thus, when they felt like they had done what they could for those outside, it'd eventually come time for them to head back into Deep Sea - with Bibidi's help.

For as much as they were eager to be there to lend a hand to those who needed it though, well... They didn't exactly like stepping back into Ultra Deep Sea. Much like before, there was a certain sense of unease in the air - that feeling as if neither they nor Bibidi were alone, despite the fact the alakazam couldn't sense anyone yet. They weren't wholly sure what it was that was causing this paranoia - though at the very least, knowing that a good part of it was a result of Deep Sea helped a bit in pushing it to the back of their mind.

That, and also having something else to focus on - such as that aforementioned search for others who might need someone's help, deep within these winding tunnels...

Incorporated feelings of paranoia

Eris Halla

El blinked at Blackjack's words - not wholly expecting to be called a quick learner in the midst of the fight. Before they could stammer out a 'thank you' though, the rocket member continued speaking - implying that there was more to this than just fighting. That the heart of this test was something besides just proving that they could protect themself in a proper battle.

A number of expressions that could be described as thoughtful and/or inquisitive crossed their face - though, they couldn't help but murmur (mostly to themself) "What else is this about, then...?" Because this started as them proving that they could take care of themself - that they'd be okay on their own, in a dangerous place... What else was Blackjack asking of them, then?

What else did Blackjack expect for them to show, in the context of a pokemon battle?

Yggy, meanwhile, had ended up once more engaged with Ceres. Although, this was a bit different from one's ordinary clash. Though the turtwig was in a bit of an awkward position, it was clear that she wasn't about to take whatever the larger torterra had planned laying down! Using Leaf Blade, she'd brandish it to try and poke Ceres in the softer and unprotected inside of her opened mouth, to get the torterra to back away! (Hopefully for long enough for the turtwig to get back onto her feet!)

Behemoth, meanwhile, was more than a little bewildered at recieving a 'kiss' on the nose. He winced the slightest bit - not that it really damaged him all that much - between his nose still being sore, and the move itself being an attacking move all the same. Growling low, he was prepared to give chase towards Echo -

"Behemoth - help Yggy!"

- but El's call made the nidoking snap his attention away - towards where Yggy was trying to fend the amused Ceres off. Rumbling in his throat, he'd make to charge at the fellow ground-type using Megahorn, rushing at her on all fours - although, he didn't seem to be putting his back into it the same way he did against Echo. It would rude to be overly rough towards a lady, after all!

(Disregarding the fact that fighting at all seemed pretty rough, that was!)

Isaac Merlo

El winced as Yggy bit down on Echo. Though it didn't sound like the Ralts was all that hurt from the attack, they still couldn't help but feel a bit empathetic to how it must've felt; which was to say, not exactly pleasant. They didn't want to see anyone get hurt - especially when all of this fighting, even beyond what was going on between them and Blackjack, felt so needless.

And yet, if they wanted to stay and help, they had to prove that they could protect themself.

Even if Yggdrasil managed first blood though, there was still trouble to be had. Behemoth, with no one directly disturbing his sleep, would proceed to curl up on the spot - not unlike a dog - and let his eyes drift closed, yawning widely. Even as Yggy and Echo were fighting but a couple feet away, and even as Blackjack called to El, he didn't seem to so much as stir!

Their only silver lining here was that it seemed like Ceres needed a minute to recover from the prior use of Frenzy Plant. But that was only temporary - definitely more temporary than the slumber that Behemoth had been put into.

Meanwhile though, there was Yggy - clamped down on Echo from the prior Crunch. Even as psychic energy jolted through the turtwig's body though, she stayed clamped on - her eyes twisting shut. In fact, she might've ended up biting down a little harder in response - as if in an attempt to cope with or steel herself against the pain!

Rather than let Yggy make a chewtoy of Echo though, El would make a call. "Wake Behemoth up, Yggy!" They couldn't let her get ganked on by both Ceres and Echo, after all!

Which was what managed to get Yggy to let go of Echo - the turtwig glancing over to the sleeping Behemoth, and running up to him. At first, she'd let out a loud squawk in his face - nudging at him with her front feet - though to no avail, as her only response would be a loud snore from the Nidoking. Something seemed to click in her head though - as when he didn't so much as react to her shouts, well...

... She'd decide to bite him, too - right on the nose!

This got a response. Rearing up onto all fours in pure surprise, Behemoth bellowed - the motion sending Yggy tumbling a short distance from him. Bewildered, he'd glance around himself - before letting out a small snarl, seemingly directed at himself for having fallen asleep. His gaze settled upon Echo before long, eyes narrowing as he snorted. His instincts from Rivalry demanded he give the Ralts a piece of his mind, for this embarrassment.

El, meanwhile, couldn't help but sigh heavily - they supposed that worked, but also ow.

Isaac Merlo

As Josh insisted upon just 'Josh', El couldn't help an awkward-shy chuckle. "O-oh, uhm, sorry," They spoke, averting their gaze briefly as they listened to the older ranger's words. "But still - it's honestly really impressive, just how much you can do! I look up to rangers like you a bunch." The smile they gave this time was a bit more earnest and confident, especially as they added "I'm looking forward to when I can become a full Ranger -- I want to be able to help everyone, pokemon and humans alike, and make a difference for people, y'know?"

Even as a ranger in training, the job felt almost like a dream come true, really...

. . . The confirmation that Josh knew Isaac, though, would make El's breath hitch a little, from the sudden feeling of anticipation that settled in their chest. So Isaac and Josh were friends, then? And before they knew it, he was apparently calling Isaac, too..!

El didn't say a word - not wanting to interrupt while Josh was trying to reach out to Isaac. But they still couldn't help a nervous half-laugh as they looked for a spot to sit - figuring that they'd likely be here awhile. Would Isaac pick up? What would he have to say...?

Would he even come, if Josh managed to reach him?

El let out a heavy exhale of relief, as the distant outpost near Granite Cave came into view. Though they had lost a bit of cargo along the way, things had gone far better than they could've, all things considered. Akero gently touched down - barely disturbing even a blade of grass - allowing El to carefully slide down from his back, to help unload the supplies. "We did good, buddy," They'd praise the togekiss - unable to help a laugh, when he let out a joyous whistle in response.

Things definitely could be a bit scary, but... They felt like they could do this. That they could make a difference for people - even if it wasn't anything big. And this was but one of the many steps they were making towards that.

A number of vines had shot up from below - and though Yggy would attempt to twist in the air on reflex to avoid it, she'd find herself squawking as she was grabbed by one of the tendrils. Tossed like a hacky sack, she went sailing a short distance, before hitting the ground and tumbling a little further.

Even if the toss had been a gentle one though, El's concern was immediately apparent. "A-Are you okay, Yggy??"

Which, judging by how quickly the little turtwig rocked back onto her feet, was a yes. Even if the landing wasn't the greatest, she was sort of made to shake off blunt force and tumbles like this, between her shell and prior Withdraw.

Behemoth, meanwhile, would be forced to stumble away from the writhing vines of the Frenzy Plant - snarling in alarm. He could see as Yggy was taken for a ride - though the mess of tendrils made it less than easy to actually try and advance towards his companion. But the sensation of movement on his back would distract him - and though he'd reach back as if to try and snag Echo, he'd be surprised when the Ralts was suddenly hanging in front of his face!

Initially, his reaction was to snarl - his claws beginning to drip with poison as he prepared to strike. But the eye-catching motion of Echo's waving arms drew his attention and - back and forth, rhythmically, almost soothingly, he couldn't help but find himself staring at the sight. His eyes began to droop, his arms dropping to his sides, as he gradually began to relax...

El, seeing the trouble that was fast approaching, would try to call out to Behemoth. "Don't look - use Megahorn!"

And despite the drowsiness apparent on Behemoth's face, it seemed that he heard El's call - or at least part of it. Oh, a Megahorn? Sure, he could do that... His horn would extend and take on a pale green glow - and without putting too much thought into it, he'd jerk his head backwards, as if to try and poke Echo with it! ... Although, this motion would be closer to him just tilting and flopping his head back - and then giving a wide and toothy yawn.

But as Behemoth began flopping forward into his quadrupedal stance - as if preparing to curl up on the spot - it was Yggy's chance. Whilst Echo was distracted putting Behemoth to sleep - and potentially dealing with being jabbed - she'd get up onto the Nidoking's back - and attempted to ambush the Ralts with yet another Crunch!

Isaac Merlo

As Josh made the pizza order, El would fidget a moment - fiddling with the edge of the glove they wore on their left hand, to keep their palm from getting sore whilst holding their cane. They supposed... Having a slice wouldn't be bad, if he was offering - though of course, it'd have to wait until it actually arrived.

The mention of work, though, had El casting Josh a sympathetic smile. "It must be hard work, being both a ranger and a gym leader, huh?" They mused out loud - adding "It's really admirable, how much you do, Josh sir."

But there came the big question - the question of what brought them here. And El, initially, couldn't help but feel another lance of anxiety in their mind. "You - uhm... Remember before the race, when I asked about us, well, talking about something...?" They asked - both to buy time to try and settle their nerves, as well as to bring the both of them on the same page. "I've been wanting to ask you something - something, uhm, about someone you might know? O-or might be acquainted with, m-maybe?"

Making a gentle sigh, Bibidi would pat El on the shoulder - and over the two's link, El could already feel the waves of reassurance and calm washing over them. As if to mimic Bibidi's sigh, they'd take in a deep breath, before exhaling softly. This really shouldn't have been so hard to ask - and yet... This was both one of the possible biggest steps forward they'd make towards finding him, and also them talking to someone of importance all the whilst. Could you blame them, for their nerves being a bit out of wack?

"... His name is Isaac." El finally spoke, once they felt steady. This was it. "Isaac Merlo - he's my brother. And I've been looking for him." Casting a hopeful glance to Josh, they'd ask "Do... do you know where he is? Or how I could reach him?"

At Josh's command, El would initially nod - "Got it!" - willing to follow their superior's directions. They trusted him, being the older and more experienced of the two of them - and with Bibidi helping keep an eye out for any additional danger, they felt confident they could lead the remaining pokemon here to the point on their own.

And yet, as Ares and Yosei both split away from the group, it didn't take long for trouble to approach. El - more focused on the path ahead - was initially blissfully unaware, but a distant shout from Josh would draw their attention to the side... In time to see as a Rock Slide knocked out Ares, from a Bronzong that had engaged the duo!

Anxiety initially twisted in their chest- they didn't want to send their pokemon into a fight, if they could help it. And yet, that being said, it would be worse to just leave Josh hanging. "Psyche - go give them a hand!" El called to their masquerain - and the bug-type, ready to act, would zip off in a timely fashion.

Upon drawing near, Psyche would stick to the edges of the gravity field that the Bronzong had formed - watching as Yosei chased the steel-type to the edge of the aforementioned field. Rather than giving the Bronzong a chance to lift off though, the masquerain would spit a Sticky Web downwards - attempting to adhere the steel-type to the ground, for Yosei to more easily strike it!

Josh Devlin

Behemoth, initially, would make a satisfied snort at seeing a number of the illusory Echoes fade away from the onslaught offered. Sure, there were a couple more left on the field - but all he had to do was use another Earth Power, and the true one would be weeded out no-problem..! Rearing up, he'd raise his fists with the intention of once more causing the surrounding battlefield to erupt...

... Only to pause and whirl around - albeit to little effect - when he suddenly felt something settle onto his back! Bewildered, the Nidoking would snarl as he craned his head to try and get a better look at who or what it was - to see a flash of green and white just out of the corner of his eye! Abandoning the pursuit of the double-team clones, Behemoth would immediately attempt to reach for the Echo settled on his back.

But though he could occasionally feel the whisper of the dress-like trail of the Ralts against his claws, there wasn't enough for him to get a grip on anything before the psychic-type would simply shift positions!

Yggdrasil, meanwhile, was facing a problem of her own. A sturdy body and fearless will could only serve one so well when faced against someone so much bigger than yourself! And though she made a valiant effort to stand her ground as some sort of immovable object... She was anything but, something that was quickly proven as Ceres began actually pushing. And despite her best efforts to force her way forward, Yggy found herself sliding backwards.

The turtwig was alarmed at this, initially - caught off guard enough to let Ceres slide her back a couple paces. But when she snapped back into her own wits, her expression furrowed, and she attempted to dig her feet into the ground for any sort of footing. She couldn't let herself be beat so easily - not when this was her chance to prove herself to El! And yet, despite how much she tried to put herself into pushing back, she didn't manage to stop her backwards slide - only slow it.

And El could see that if she kept trying like this, she was only going to hurt herself - their expresion twisting with concern. This approach wasn't working, it was clear to even them. "Back off, Yggy!" They called - wondering how they could switch tracks to better face Ceres.

But despite hearing them loud and clear, Yggdrasil stood her ground - trying to push back, even as a crack began forming in the energy that shaped the Leaf Blade. She could do this, she just needed to push a little harder, to try and match Ceres' own strength..!

Which didn't exactly help El's concern - unable to help chewing the nail of their thumb for a moment as they glanced between their two pokemon. Behemoth was struggling to catch his opponent, and Yggy wasn't going to beat hers in a contest of brute force... But Yggy wasn't going to back off from her clash with Ceres - not unless...

Something clicking in El's mind, they'd call out once again. "Behemoth needs a hand, Yggy - back him up!"

Even though this was essentially El repeating their directions - but with a different framing - it was enough to get Yggdrasil's attention. Though reluctant to part from Ceres, the turtwig would throw herself into a sideways roll to disengage from the clash - so as to avoid being crushed under the larger torterra's Wood Hammer. And once Yggdrasil was on her feet once more, she'd glance towards her teammate, to see Behemoth, growling as he tried to buck Echo off of his back!

She could see the problem now - and though she still wanted to prove herself against Ceres, she'd charge over. She had to help Behemoth out, too!

And Behemoth, seeing his partner quickly approaching, would offer a Helping Hand - namely, in throwing Echo a curveball to try and keep him from getting away. Throwing himself backwards, he'd bash his back against a nearby boulder before turning to face away from the fast-approaching Turtwig...

... Who'd make a leap at Echo, attempting to Crunch the ralts while he was hopefully stunned!

Isaac Merlo