The LUMIOSE Team (PLOT)

It seemed his suggestion was not wholly welcome. "The- The sewers?! Les egouts?! Surely you don't intend to go traipsing around through the stagnant mulch and filth of several years sir? Have you taken leave of your senses?" Well, it was a fair point. He had before, but in far less populated areas.

"François..." the girl warned, sounding a tiny bit like a stern mother. "The answer is yes Mr. Don, there are sewers but-"

"But there is a literal thousand miles of them. And they have not been maintained monsieur. The odds the exact tunnel you want lay beneath us and isn't damaged or filled with unwashed excrement are almost laughable. We could choke to death on the fumes alone and not even Madeline could save us from it." Hmm. Again, in less populated areas, it wasn't such a terrible issue. It seemed he'd underestimated the city once more. His home region didn't have a city this size. He liked to consider himself worldly, of course, but there was rare a city outside of Kanto that he knew so intimately.

"François! I appreciate your concern but please, stop. You are not helping by pointing out everything wrong before anything has even been addressed."

The melodramatic little ghost seemed put out, but sighed and acquiesced. "Oui, Oui...You are right. Forgive me, gentlemen. I will offer what assistance I can."

"Thank you."

"He has a very fair point though," Looker agreed, earning Giovanni's gaze. "It's more than just a sanitary problem or their length. The best point is about how they might be weakened or collapsed entirely. And god forbid- ground types have Earthquake, right? If they happen to push that horse so badly he decides to disregard the gun and let one of those off? Even if we got extraordinarily lucky and everything else lined up... just one moment could end us."

Looker offered an apologetic look to Giovanni, which he accepted with a stoic nod. "It was a good idea, but I feel he's right about all the downsides. What do the rest of you think?"

"I haven't been using them for... pretty much all the reasons he mentioned. Especially the getting lost thing. Unless we know there's a direct line, I... wouldn't risk it. And besides, we know where that exit is... but do we even know if there is a place we can get in?"

One of Vitaly's pokemon chimed in as well, as if there weren't enough cons against the suggestion of going into the sewers. He didn't feel personally slighted by the high volume of dissonance, but Giovanni was starting to wonder whether or not he should. "Time is a problem too. We can't just wait for someone to scout it out. The longer we stand here talking, the more likely something on their end will change. If we wait until we can find a path under, they might have finally moved the horse. Or killed it."

Thankfully turning from shitting on his suggestion, Vitaly addressed Miss LeClair. "... Would you be okay with your ghosts being in danger? He's-he's right about them being the least likely to get hurt, but it could still be dangerous..."

"If we go with the distraction idea, I can go. They haven't caught me yet, and it feels... Unfair to ask someone else to do it."

Giovanni made an uneasy face. He'd rather her Pokemon stay safe in their balls, but they really were the ones best suited for the job. His were all far too large, bulky, and heavy. "...I don't wish to put you and your pokemon on the spot, Miss LeClair, but they are the ones most likely to succeed and survive."

"He has a very fair point though," François puffed up proudly a bit at the praise but a quick glance from Miranda had him settling back down. He did so hate to upset the Little Flower. "It's more than just a sanitary problem or their length. The best point is about how they might be weakened or collapsed entirely. And god forbid- ground types have Earthquake, right? If they happen to push that horse so badly he decides to disregard the gun and let one of those off? Even if we got extraordinarily lucky and everything else lined up... just one moment could end us."

"It was a good idea, but I feel he's right about all the downsides. What do the rest of you think?"

"I haven't been using them for... pretty much all the reasons he mentioned. Especially the getting lost thing. Unless we know there's a direct line, I... wouldn't risk it. And besides, we know where that exit is... but do we even know if there is a place we can get in?"

With everything going on Miranda was surprised to see Vitaly's Weavile was the next to chime in. It made her wonder how good of a team Vitaly had if they were comfortable putting out their own suggestions. She and her own were hardly so synchronous. "Time is a problem too. We can't just wait for someone to scout it out. The longer we stand here talking, the more likely something on their end will change. If we wait until we can find a path under, they might have finally moved the horse. Or killed it."

"... Would you be okay with your ghosts being in danger? He's-he's right about them being the least likely to get hurt, but it could still be dangerous..." Miranda nearly chirped with surprise as she was suddenly addressed, a light pink dusting across her cheeks being put on the spot like that. She didn't know how to coordinate a strike like that... And her pokemon weren't nearly as strong as the others. "If we go with the distraction idea, I can go. They haven't caught me yet, and it feels... Unfair to ask someone else to do it."

She looked up to her guardian with questioning eyes and found herself less than comforted by his reply. "...I don't wish to put you and your pokemon on the spot, Miss LeClair, but they are the ones most likely to succeed and survive." She couldn't do this. Could she? She wasn't even a fully accomplished trainer! But...that poor horse needed someone or else he was going to die. That wasn't fair either, was it? "I suppose I could, Mr. Don. Just...um...tell us what you want and I'll make sure they can do it. Not all ghosts are good at the same things so it might be trickier than we think."

Digging through her bag she pulled out more poke balls and held them out. "François is an expert at shadows and blending in while Durandal is good at fighting and can manipulate people to some extent, though I don't quite know how he does it. Papa always assumed it was like possession. Esmé is small and quite a trickster so his specialty is fright and sound. Thérèse, who you haven't met, is...well...huge. She's almost half my size and can manipulate shadow with the lights she casts from her eyes. She partners well with François most of the time. Her lights are also blinding if she wants."

Taking a breath she tried to remember that time was of the essence and she couldn't go into to much detail or they would never form a plan. "They can all pass through solid objects or retreat into shadows but Durandal makes an awful loud screeching sound when he does. That's...all we have to work with really. If anyone has any ideas."

After adding in their own two cents, Vitaly and his Weavile turned to Miss Miranda, Looker feeling pained at the undercurrent of anxiety he could sense in the children. They shouldn't have to deal with this. "... Would you be okay with your ghosts being in danger? He's-he's right about them being the least likely to get hurt, but it could still be dangerous..."

Poor girl; she turned pink. Looker wondered why she seemed to doubt herself so. Perhaps she was just a naturally anxious person?

"If we go with the distraction idea, I can go. They haven't caught me yet, and it feels... Unfair to ask someone else to do it."

Miranda looked up at her guardian, but Giovanni, obviously not quite a fan of the idea, nonetheless didn't take the decision out of her hands. "... I don't wish to put you and your pokemon on the spot, Miss LeClair, but they are the ones most likely to succeed and survive."

She hesitated a moment before speaking. "I suppose I could, Mr. Don. Just...um...tell us what you want and I'll make sure they can do it. Not all ghosts are good at the same things so it might be trickier than we think."

He watched as she dug out the rest of her pokeballs, explaining as she did. Realizing this was both a way of sharing information and controlling her anxiety, Looker let the girl ramble, drinking in the information. "François is an expert at shadows and blending in while Durandal is good at fighting and can manipulate people to some extent, though I don't quite know how he does it. Papa always assumed it was like possession. Esmé is small and quite a trickster so his specialty is fright and sound. Thérèse, who you haven't met, is... well ... huge. She's almost half my size and can manipulate shadow with the lights she casts from her eyes. She partners well with François most of the time. Her lights are also blinding if she wants."

She took a deep breath and finished it off. "They can all pass through solid objects or retreat into shadows but Durandal makes an awful loud screeching sound when he does. That's... all we have to work with really. If anyone has any ideas."

"Screeching sound?" Looker mused, cupping his chin. Oh yes. An idea was definitely blooming. "... That may actually be very helpful. Screeching metal is a hideous noise. If they were to, say, hear a loud sound that could very well be dangerous, especially if the sound kept getting closer... they'd send the ones with guns in first to investigate... that would help us by drawing away the biggest threat to us. I don't know how bulletproof a ghost made of metal is, but if we had another pokemon there waiting with him, someone who could knock our curious friend out as he came to investigate... or maybe deeply confuse him so that Durandal can dispatch him..."

He looked over at François. "I know your species carries Confuse Ray; would you happen to have it?"

Once addressed, Miranda was... surprised? She turned a little pink, and that reaction confused Vitaly. Had he startled her? He hadn't been trying, though...

Giovanni didn't seem pleased with the idea of his ward's Pokemon being put in danger either, but he finally said, "...I don't wish to put you and your pokemon on the spot, Miss LeClair, but they are the ones most likely to succeed and survive."

She reacted to her guardian's voice, and answered his question. The girl seemed nervous, but it appeared she had made her decision. He only hoped she wasn't doing this because she thought she had to... "I suppose I could, Mr. Don. Just...um...tell us what you want and I'll make sure they can do it. Not all ghosts are good at the same things so it might be trickier than we think." Oh boy. The girl started listing off the various abilities of her Pokemon, and she pulled out their Pokeballs as she discussed them. "François is an expert at shadows and blending in while Durandal is good at fighting and can manipulate people to some extent, though I don't quite know how he does it. Papa always assumed it was like possession. Esmé is small and quite a trickster so his specialty is fright and sound. Thérèse, who you haven't met, is...well...huge. She's almost half my size and can manipulate shadow with the lights she casts from her eyes. She partners well with François most of the time. Her lights are also blinding if she wants. They can all pass through solid objects or retreat into shadows but Durandal makes an awful loud screeching sound when he does. That's...all we have to work with really. If anyone has any ideas."

Looker latched onto the bits about Durandal and asked, "Screeching sound?" One hand grabbed his chin in the stereotypical thinking pose, and he continued,
"... That may actually be very helpful. Screeching metal is a hideous noise. If they were to, say, hear a loud sound that could very well be dangerous, especially if the sound kept getting closer... they'd send the ones with guns in first to investigate... that would help us by drawing away the biggest threat to us. I don't know how bulletproof a ghost made of metal is, but if we had another pokemon there waiting with him, someone who could knock our curious friend out as he came to investigate... or maybe deeply confuse him so that Durandal can dispatch him..." Turning towards the small ghost, he asked, "I know your species carries Confuse Ray; would you happen to have it?"

Unfortunately, there wasn't much Vitaly and Drizzt could contribute to the conversation. They knew how they would handle this, but it was too risky for more than one person to attempt. They also wouldn't lie that they would prefer to keep their own safe, and if doing things in a slightly more tedious way could do that, then they would go for it. Despite this, both human and Pokemon were only getting more antsy as the talking kept going. Hopefully they could start moving soon...

Giovanni stood silent by his young companion as she listed off her pokemon and their abilities, unable to shirk away the grin on his face. He had always prided himself in his abilities to choose allies and now was no different. Miss LeClair's pokemon, while much weaker in battle skill than his own, had the utility outside of battle that they so desperately needed.

"They can all pass through solid objects or retreat into shadows but Durandal makes an awful loud screeching sound when he does. That's...all we have to work with really. If anyone has any ideas." Giovanni had a couple of his own, but his eyes went to the Detective first, and his eyes raised when he spotted Looker's mind already quick at work. It was fascinating to see that the man's mind was no less astute without his memories-- even if it did make him earnestly naive.

"Screeching sound?" One hand grabbed his chin in the stereotypical thinking pose-- odd that an old habit like that remained. "... That may actually be very helpful. Screeching metal is a hideous noise. If they were to, say, hear a loud sound that could very well be dangerous, especially if the sound kept getting closer... they'd send the ones with guns in first to investigate... that would help us by drawing away the biggest threat to us. I don't know how bulletproof a ghost made of metal is, but if we had another pokemon there waiting with him, someone who could knock our curious friend out as he came to investigate... or maybe deeply confuse him so that Durandal can dispatch him..." Turning towards the small ghost, he asked, "I know your species carries Confuse Ray; would you happen to have it?"

Though Giovanni himself couldn't speak for the young woman, he did offer his support with a small pat to her shoulder, nodding for her to continue. Mentoring the young and impressionable had been his favorite part of being the Viridian City gym leader, even if it was a chosen strategic vantage point for Rocket's operations.

"Screeching sound?" Miranda looked at Looker hopefully as he replied to her explanation with earnest. "... That may actually be very helpful. Screeching metal is a hideous noise. If they were to, say, hear a loud sound that could very well be dangerous, especially if the sound kept getting closer... they'd send the ones with guns in first to investigate... that would help us by drawing away the biggest threat to us. I don't know how bulletproof a ghost made of metal is, but if we had another pokemon there waiting with him, someone who could knock our curious friend out as he came to investigate... or maybe deeply confuse him so that Durandal can dispatch him..." Looking at François he seemed to almost gain a mischievous glint that had the ghost once again intrigued in the conversation, "I know your species carries Confuse Ray; would you happen to have it?"

"Oui monsieur," the little Misdreavus replied, a little smile tugging at his mouth. What could the sly man be planning, hm? "I can also Hex anyone I confuse to knock them out." Miranda's smile faded a bit into one of worry, her shoulders drooping at the thought of hurting anyone. "I don't want to hurt people François, not if we can help it. Can we...help it?" She looked to the other men around her hopefully though in her heart she knew it wasn't likely. "There are other moves that could hinder instead of hurt... Madeline's scent can entrance people, or Esmé's Spikes could block a path... Anything?"

"Oui monsieur," the little ghost's budding smile was infectious; Looker couldn't help but smile a little, too. "I can also Hex anyone I confuse to knock them out."

Out of the corner of his eye, Miranda's shoulders dropped. Oh no.

"I don't want to hurt people François, not if we can help it," the girl said, and Looker felt his heart go out to the child. "Can we... help it?"

And the knife twisted.

Miranda looked hopefully at each of them, seeking an answer she wanted but couldn't have. The open, slightly desperate look indicated she knew as much, but... gods. She was only a child... "There are other moves that could hinder instead of hurt... Madeline's scent can entrance people, or Esmé's Spikes could block a path... Anything?"

This would require very careful manuvering. He wasn't her father, and her father was right there, and he didn't want to cause the girl unneccesary pain or lose the support of either of them.

"I understand why you don't want to hurt them," he said quietly. "I'm... predisposed to more diplomatic methods, myself. I don't enjoy violence. But I constructed this idea with the safety of your pokemon in mind, so that we would avoid any harm to our own and save our victim by dispatching those who would kill us as quickly as possible. They-"

The horse made a particularly loud sound. He winced, expression hardening a little into stone.

"They don't care about inflicting evil on others. It's- a hard lesson, one that I won't force you to experience any sooner than you must, but sometimes to protect the innocent, you can spare no quarter for the guilty. Nothing is stopping them from just leaving, but they're hurting that pokemon anyway. They shot your father. They would have murdered both of you without a thought and have probably done the same to other people- families, elderly, the infirm- I've seen that sort of thing before. We wouldn't be harming anyone who doesn't deserve some karma coming to them, and I can't think of a better way with so little time to ensure that all of us, including our pokemon, and that pokemon, get away alive."

He could force her to help, probably. He had a firearm. He could have it out in seconds. But he knew, the very second he thought that, that such a thing would never be possible. His expression softened again.

"But if that doesn't help you I... can't, and won't, force you to participate, like I said. You're a human being. A person should be allowed their own decisions and I refuse to let my morality deteiorate enough to try making a child participate in death, even if I'm just borrowing her pokemon. I'd find some other way to make this work."

He wondered what sort of man her father was; from what he saw of the man, he was kind, jovial, with a good sense of humor. Not lacking in wit or strength. He would be lying if he said he wasn't curious about what sort of answer he was going to give the girl. Or what sort of reaction Vitaly would have; the boy was sharp and there was something undeniably hard behind those green eyes.

By virtue of being a ground type, Mudsdale had thick hide, and so he doubted they were in danger of the poor stallion dying, but he wanted to hurry this up... Please, Miranda.

"Oui monsieur," The Misdreavus replied with a small smile. "I can also Hex anyone I confuse to knock them out." Oh, that would be a good plan. That would hopefully give them more time...

Miranda's smile and shoulders fell, and Vitaly could already tell she wasn't happy with that. She asked while looking around at them, "I don't want to hurt people François, not if we can help it. Can we...help it?" She probably already knew the answer, but she continued, "There are other moves that could hinder instead of hurt... Madeline's scent can entrance people, or Esmé's Spikes could block a path... Anything?" The near desperate questions really hit home with how different he was from her. They weren't far from the same age, but she had lived a vastly different life. He wouldn't have thought anything of knocking one of those assholes out. He had avoided killing them as much as possible because he didn't want to aggravate them further and potentially taking it out on Jude. However, the mere fact that he had to have more than one reason to not kill them made him a much different kind of person than Miranda. He was starting to feel even worse about letting her Pokemon take the lead on this effort.

Looker carefully said, "I understand why you don't want to hurt them. I'm... predisposed to more diplomatic methods, myself. I don't enjoy violence. But I constructed this idea with the safety of your pokemon in mind, so that we would avoid any harm to our own and save our victim by dispatching those who would kill us as quickly as possible. They-" The speech was interrupted with a loud sound from the horse Pokemon. While the pitch wasn't quite the same, it was so similar to Siyal that Vitaly flinched and reached up to grab at the chain of his pendant. Drizzt held himself together better, but he leaned against Vitaly's leg for a moment.

The disruption caused Looker's visage to become stonier, and he continued, "They don't care about inflicting evil on others. It's- a hard lesson, one that I won't force you to experience any sooner than you must, but sometimes to protect the innocent, you can spare no quarter for the guilty. Nothing is stopping them from just leaving, but they're hurting that pokemon anyway. They shot your father. They would have murdered both of you without a thought and have probably done the same to other people- families, elderly, the infirm- I've seen that sort of thing before. We wouldn't be harming anyone who doesn't deserve some karma coming to them, and I can't think of a better way with so little time to ensure that all of us, including our pokemon, and that pokemon, get away alive." While Vitaly agreed with Looker a lot, something still didn't sit right with him about this situation. He hated the idea of forcing someone to hurt others, and even though circumstances were demanding it, they could... do something else maybe. Though her Pokemon didn't seem to perturbed about just knocking someone out...

He was kind of grateful that Looker also spoke of that sentiment. "But if that doesn't help you I... can't, and won't, force you to participate, like I said. You're a human being. A person should be allowed their own decisions and I refuse to let my morality deteiorate enough to try making a child participate in death, even if I'm just borrowing her pokemon. I'd find some other way to make this work."

He had no sympathy for the people who had captured Father Jude and killed at least one of the man's Pokemon, but the girl didn't have that grudge. She hadn't had to deal with the violence of just staying alive at almost any cost, and part of him really didn't want to make her have to delve into that. "If it helps any, there is a pretty big difference between knocking someone out for a while and killing them. We're-we're not asking you or your Pokemon to go that far."

"... If it doesn't, my offer still stands," Drizzt said. He had a feeling he knew what was going on in his trainer's head, and the Weavile didn't like the idea of sending Pokemon who might not be okay with this into the fray. She didn't need to know that if he went, then the locals he encountered were likely to end up dead. There wasn't a need to add any more guilt into her decision.

"Oui monsieur," The ghost replied. "I can also Hex anyone I confuse to knock them out." A useful move, indeed. He'd need to remember that, if push came to shove.

Miss LeClair wasn't as happy with the suggestion, however, as unsurprising as it was for Giovanni to hear. "I don't want to hurt people François, not if we can help it. Can we...help it?" Giovanni glanced to her, keeping still otherwise as she naively made her case. He couldn't help but think of the atrocities he had committed, some just because he could, and marveled at how strikingly different they were.

"There are other moves that could hinder instead of hurt... Madeline's scent can entrance people, or Esmé's Spikes could block a path... Anything?" Her almost desperate questions went unanswered for a moment, as the men already understood what was likely to happen. Even Looker showed hesitation, and he was almost as naive as Miss LeClair.

Almost.

"I understand why you don't want to hurt them," the detective began quietly. "I'm... predisposed to more diplomatic methods, myself. I don't enjoy violence. But I constructed this idea with the safety of your pokemon in mind, so that we would avoid any harm to our own and save our victim by dispatching those who would kill us as quickly as possible. They-" A pained whinny interrupted Looker, and they collectively flinched under its volume. They were wasting time, it was obvious, but Looker seemed determined to drive his point home. The man was nothing if not tenacious, after all.

"They don't care about inflicting evil on others. It's- a hard lesson, one that I won't force you to experience any sooner than you must, but sometimes to protect the innocent, you can spare no quarter for the guilty. Nothing is stopping them from just leaving, but they're hurting that pokemon anyway. They shot your father." Wait, what? Oh-- "They would have murdered both of you without a thought and have probably done the same to other people- families, elderly, the infirm- I've seen that sort of thing before. We wouldn't be harming anyone who doesn't deserve some karma coming to them, and I can't think of a better way with so little time to ensure that all of us, including our pokemon, and that pokemon, get away alive."

Giovanni could see how Looker had been such a prominent man in the force. Even without his memories, he was quite capable of inspiration and leadership. Such qualities were traits Giovanni himself valued in both himself and his more trusted underlings. He glanced down to his ward, trying to gauge her reaction. "But if that doesn't help you I... can't, and won't, force you to participate, like I said. You're a human being. A person should be allowed their own decisions and I refuse to let my morality deteriorate enough to try making a child participate in death, even if I'm just borrowing her pokemon. I'd find some other way to make this work."

In their first meeting, he had killed Miss LeClair's assailants without another thought. Perhaps, even though they were likely going to rape and kill her, she still was haunted by their deaths. If her father had shielded her so well from the ugliness of this new, unforgiving world, she likely had never known what was required of a survivor. He'd seen much of her naivety since taking her under her wing, but to want to spare lowlifes such as these? Her heart was too soft for this world.

"If it helps any, there is a pretty big difference between knocking someone out for a while and killing them. We're-we're not asking you or your Pokemon to go that far." Giovanni nodded, hoping that perhaps that clarification would ease the decision.

"... If it doesn't, my offer still stands," Vitaly's Weavile reiterated.

Giovanni shifted, not particularly liking the turn of the conversation. Miss LeClair's innocence was endearing, of course, but Giovanni was not a man known for leaving loose ends. Having survivors of their assault was dangerous. "Once we liberate the pokemon," Giovanni began slowly, "...I'm concerned for our safety. Our undetected presence here is our largest and most valuable asset. If the men we're about to attack can run back to the others and possibly coordinate a counter measure..." He looked to Miranda, his eyes full of dismay. "...I'm sorry, Miss LeClair, but... I'm not sure if we can leave these men alive. As Looker stated, they were willing to kill us and our pokemon without much thought. These men... are very similar to the men we both encountered on Cycling Road. I won't force you to participate either, but... it would be unwise of us to spare them."

Looker's careful monologue did little to lift Miranda's spirits. If anything it was punctuated by the misery of the stallion being abused right beside them and left her near to the point of tears to hear it. Looker held such a finality to his speech that Miranda couldn't even look him in the eyes as François gently fluffed at her hair in an attempt to pat it. "Do not fret, ma petite fleur. No harm will come to you or us as long as we work together, no?"

"If it helps any, there is a pretty big difference between knocking someone out for a while and killing them. We're-we're not asking you or your Pokemon to go that far." Miranda looked to Vitaly with hopeful eyes, glad at least someone understood her fears. It wasn't that she was struggling with the moral choice of whether or not these men deserved it but the extent to which they deserved. She had always been taught to try diplomatic solutions before resorting to fighting.

"... If it doesn't, my offer still stands,"

As though empowered by the Weavile's cold offer Mr. Don struck out his own opinion. One that chilled her blood as she heard it. "Once we liberate the pokemon...I'm concerned for our safety. Our undetected presence here is our largest and most valuable asset. If the men we're about to attack can run back to the others and possibly coordinate a counter measure..." Miranda couldn't bear to hold his gaze as he looked at her, knowing what he was about to say. "...I'm sorry, Miss LeClair, but... I'm not sure if we can leave these men alive. As Looker stated, they were willing to kill us and our pokemon without much thought. These men... are very similar to the men we both encountered on Cycling Road. I won't force you to participate either, but... it would be unwise of us to spare them."

"They don't deserve to die," she replied numbly. "Those men...they aren't like the others you saved me from. These people are scared and are taking their fear out on others. Those men were going to use me and likely kill me for the sport of it, because they wanted to. No one in this town wants to hurt people. Or Pokemon. I can't believe that of my own townspeople. This is my home... These people were my people..."

She nodded resolutely and called forth two more of her Pokemon, Durandal and Esmé, the pair hovering near her as they materialized. "I should be the one to handle them."

"Do not fret, ma petite fleur. No harm will come to you or us as long as we work together, no?" His stomach twisted. Poor children. It was disgusting this was even something they had to deal with.

"If it helps any, there is a pretty big difference between knocking someone out for a while and killing them. We're-we're not asking you or your Pokemon to go that far," Vitaly added. Another twist. Actually, that was what Looker was asking. If they left these men alive, they would come kill them later.

"... If it doesn't, my offer still stands."

At Drizzt's words, Giovanni spoke, all the gentleness of a father who was trying to carefully break bad news to his child in his voice. "Once we liberate the pokemon... I'm concerned for our safety. Our undetected presence here is our largest and most valuable asset. If the men we're about to attack can run back to the others and possibly coordinate a counter measure..."

The girl looked down. Looker nodded sadly, agreeing every bit with Giovanni's words and feeling just a little silly that he hadn't managed to convey the same message in all the rambling he did.

Not for the first time he felt the smallest prick of insecurity about his word vomit. Hopefully, with people around to talk to, it was a habit that would stop soon.

"...I'm sorry, Miss LeClair, but... I'm not sure if we can leave these men alive. As Looker stated, they were willing to kill us and our pokemon without much thought. These men... are very similar to the men we both encountered on Cycling Road. I won't force you to participate either, but... it would be unwise of us to spare them."

"They don't deserve to die," the child responded immediately, looking defeated and small and numb. "Those men...they aren't like the others you saved me from. These people are scared and are taking their fear out on others. Those men were going to use me and likely kill me for the sport of it, because they wanted to. No one in this town wants to hurt people. Or Pokemon. I can't believe that of my own townspeople. This is my home... These people were my people..."

Looker had covered his mouth halfway through her attempt to avoid the pain of admitting that yes, people from her city could very well be like this.

But she hardened, just a bit, and with a nod to steel herself, she brought out the sword and the keyring. "I should be the one to handle them."

There was no time to argue with her. "Understood. Durandal, with Miranda's permission, we need your help. I need you to follow François through the walls. The screeching sound will alert the men torturing that pokemon over there and the couple with guns will come to check it out, at which point François will confuse them to stun them and you will-" He glanced at Miranda- "dispatch them. From there we should be able to overpower the remaining humans with no harm to any of our own."

Giovanni chose his words very carefully as he tried to make his case, "Once we liberate the pokemon... I'm concerned for our safety. Our undetected presence here is our largest and most valuable asset. If the men we're about to attack can run back to the others and possibly coordinate a counter measure..." He paused a brief second to look at Miranda in dismay before saying, "...I'm sorry, Miss LeClair, but... I'm not sure if we can leave these men alive. As Looker stated, they were willing to kill us and our pokemon without much thought. These men... are very similar to the men we both encountered on Cycling Road. I won't force you to participate either, but... it would be unwise of us to spare them." Oh? That... Explained a lot about the girl's devotion to the adult man despite apparently not being related. Just the thought of people like those men trying to hurt a girl like her lit a spark of anger that he quickly had to stifle. He reminded himself that The men were likely no longer alive if what Giovanni was insinuating was true. Which definitely gave the man bonus points in Vitaly's book.

"They don't deserve to die," She responded almost immediately. Was she... Was she really that naive? "Those men...they aren't like the others you saved me from. These people are scared and are taking their fear out on others. Those men were going to use me and likely kill me for the sport of it, because they wanted to. No one in this town wants to hurt people. Or Pokemon. I can't believe that of my own townspeople. This is my home... These people were my people..." He couldn't help flinching. Oh dear Gods. She was that naive. Seeing the potential ex-detective cover his own mouth helped Vitaly keep himself from snapping about Father Jude and.... and about Caramon. The dead Pyroar still haunted him, his team, and Pelor in their nightmares. He hadn't said anything about the real reasons he was hanging around this dangerous city, and his Pokemon had been keeping carefully quiet about the missing priest. Now wasn't the time to shatter her illusion though. They needed to get moving, and she was finally doing something. The Aegislash and Klefki from before appeared out of their pokeballs as she asserted, "I should be the one to handle them." He almost thought that maybe that was the best reason why she shouldn't.

Looker, however, took charge and quickly filled in the new Pokemon on their strategy. "Understood. Durandal, with Miranda's permission, we need your help. I need you to follow François through the walls. The screeching sound will alert the men torturing that pokemon over there and the couple with guns will come to check it out, at which point François will confuse them to stun them and you will-" The brief pause as Looker glanced at Miranda was noticeable. He probably had to rethink a word? "dispatch them. From there we should be able to overpower the remaining humans with no harm to any of our own."

"They don't deserve to die," was Miss LeClair's assured reply. Giovanni hid his disappointment well, watching her with a neutral expression as she defended her ever-naive point of view. "Those men...they aren't like the others you saved me from. These people are scared and are taking their fear out on others. Those men were going to use me and likely kill me for the sport of it, because they wanted to. No one in this town wants to hurt people. Or Pokemon. I can't believe that of my own townspeople. This is my home... These people were my people..."

Giovanni's sharp gaze was drawn to the mysterious man, Vitaly, as he visibly flinched at Miss LeClair's adamant naivete. There was a well-tempered fury behind those otherwise passive eyes, he knew. He didn't blame the younger man for his anger; in fact, he was a bit perturbed himself. That Miss LeClair didn't understand that, if pushed enough or in a certain way, any man or woman could become atrocious. And an apocalypse certainly would qualify. Those gangbangers on the Cycling bridge might not have always been pathetic thugs. They may have been accountants, teachers. People who were worthy of the speech she was spewing to three men who simply knew the truth of the world far better than she could currently grasp. He wondered if Looker and Vitaly would kill them in secrecy. Because he absolutely would. "I should be the one to handle them," was her final thought on the matter.

You just vowed not to, Giovanni thought bitterly to himself. Outwardly, he was far more civil, though it was clear he didn't agree with her passionate plea. "...Very well."

Looker was quick to take charge, and Giovanni was eager to turn his attention to the old detective in action. He seemed to slide right into the role. Truly, it was mesmerizing to watch, knowing that the man didn't even know his own name and yet was rising to a leadership role this easily. "Understood. Durandal, with Miranda's permission, we need your help. I need you to follow François through the walls. The screeching sound will alert the men torturing that pokemon over there and the couple with guns will come to check it out, at which point François will confuse them to stun them and you will-" They knew what needed to happen, but Looker, ever the soft heart, spared the harshness of their victims' eventual fates with a swift change of diction, "dispatch them. From there we should be able to overpower the remaining humans with no harm to any of our own."

Miranda felt strange hearing Giovanni's quiet acceptance of her decision. She had agreed so why did he sound so disappointed in her? She was ready and willing to try so that she could protect her guardian as much as he protected her. Yet it seemed even as she had found her own solidarity it was just as quickly stripped from her.

"Understood. Durandal, with Miranda's permission, we need your help. I need you to follow François through the walls. The screeching sound will alert the men torturing that pokemon over there and the couple with guns will come to check it out, at which point François will confuse them to stun them and you will-" The powerful spirit had come to attention as Looker spoke and only looked away for a moment as the man trailed off to look at his charge. She seemed upset. "dispatch them. From there we should be able to overpower the remaining humans with no harm to any of our own."

Miranda's lip quivered as her shame and upset began to overwhelm her and she tucked it between her teeth to steady it. Durandal's gaze moved to her but she looked away, unwilling to watch as another commanded her Pokemon. What good was she to them then? Other than having the typing they wanted, that is. Hadn't she just said she could handle it? But it wasn't her place to question her elders no matter how much it might hurt her to obey. Let them do as they wanted.

Durandal, while worried about his charge, could hear by the tone of the man before him that there was no time to be wasted. Ushering Esmé on the two took up their positions and the sword master gave the smaller ghost a small raise of his shield to give the signal. Hiding in the shadows Esmé watched as Durandal all but shred himself into the walls, the screech echoing down the alleys like a thousand nails scratching across worn chalkboards. Surely that would be enough to distract whatever men they were hoping to bait. His only hope was that Miranda didn't see what would happen next after he confused the poor souls.

Looker saw the girl look away and winced inwardly, but there was nothing for it. Despite the fact that the girl's feelings very much did matter, it was more important they save the horse. Stopping the bloodshed was of more urgancy than soothing hurt feelings. He made a mental note to do that later.

Durandal surprised him a bit; he expected he may have to persaude the gruff old ghost a little, considering his initial distrust of them, but the sword knew instantly what had to be done, a thing Looker silently thanked him for. Another mental note to be made: to thank him aloud, later. He still remembered Sapphire's warning to him from years ago, about older or more powerful pokemon and their typical reluctance to take direction from strangers.

... He hoped the girl was all right. She'd be almost a young woman, now...

Speaking of almost-adults; Vitaly's flinch also hadn't escaped his notice and already he was wondering if he may need to comfort the boy, too, as well as the girl. It was no wonder he'd flinch at such blatant naivety; the boy had been here awhile. He'd have dealt with these me-


"Sometimes they'll give up after a few minutes, and sometimes it takes an hour."
"Well, considering what happened the first time-"
"Basically, they chased us from one side of the city to the other-"
"-that also means that each time I'm spotted, I think they get more determined to kill me."


Why does he remain in a dangerous area where he's clearly hated and hunted?

The question hit him like a lightning bolt and his eyes flicked to Vitaly for a moment.

Those pieces... they didn't fit. A hand went to his chin, everything around him vanishing as he let his train of thought go where it wanted to.

Vitaly was not stupid. He had a fire in him, but he wasn't foolhardy enough to stay here when it would risk his pokemon. There was no reason for him to stay here-

-unless he's here FOR something.

But he would need to shelve that thought, too. He focused back on the din in the distance.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the multiple walls Durandal screeched into, just as Looker had hoped, someone was coming the ghost sword's way. At the hideous sound that repeated the closer Durandal got, the little battle a way's down the block took a confusing turn. From where they were, unable to be seen by the enemy, out of the street and in a nearby allyway as well as down the block, discerning what was being said was impossible, but you'd have to be deaf to not hear the general sounds of distress as the group grappling with the stallion realized something was getting closer to them.

And, also as Looker had hoped, one of them grabbed their gun and went to check it out.

When they didn't return another went, accompanied by someone else without a firearm, and when they also didn't return, Looker felt relief beginning to well up. Durandal was making this work perfectly. If he found any pokemon treats, he knew who he'd be giving them too.

... Actually, first he'd have to ask Ms. Miranda if Durandal was able to eat anything. He didn't seem to have a mouth...

Now the arguing amongst themselves was much fiercer, likely since nobody wanted to venture into the friendly alleyway of probable dead people but they all agreed that they couldn't do nothing.

And when the horse kicked one of them over, Looker drew his firearm with a quick "now!" to the others, leaning out from their hiding place to aim and fire at the remaining men. No sense in getting closer when he still had bullets and two children he really did not want to risk.

When Durandal's phasing caused a loud screeching sound, Vitaly readjusted his grip on his gun and waited for the signal to go. It took a while. He could hear the group of people yelling at each other as the tensions rose. Without taking their eyes off the the areas they were watching, Drizzt quietly whispered, "What do you need me to do?"

"Stay here for now. Make sure we don't get ambushed from behind," Was Vitaly's muttered reply.

The Weavile didn't seem completely happy with that, but he agreed. "Alright." Then they were back to waiting.

Looker's voice spurred them into action. "Now!" Even though Drizzt wasn't going to be at the front of the battle, he used Hone Claws and readied to leap if necessary. Vitaly joined Looker at the corner, but he crouched down and carefully aimed. He didn't want to somehow hit the Mudsdale, nor did he want to waste the ammo. He had the passing worry that maybe this wasn't the best way to handle this, considering his fears about them taking out frustrations on Father Jude, but the thought didn't linger long. It was their lives or the Mudsdale's, and he knew Father Jude would forgive him this. He had a soft spot for Pokemon. And the fury of the unfairness of their situations fueled his cold anger as he pulled the trigger.

Giovanni idly checked his gun and shoulder as they waited, his senses growing sharper by the moment. He was focusing in on the world around him, of the feel of his weapon, the dull throb in his shoulder, the way the anxiety in the air made everyone around him breathe just a little harder. His intense focus settled on Looker a moment as they waited for Miss LeClair's reliable Pokemon to lead the men away, and he found an interesting detail.

It seemed Looker was too focused on Vitaly to realize he was being studied, but once again his hand cupped his chin as his mind visibly worked. Just what was going on in that head of his? What little puzzle was he piecing together of their young shared acquaintance? Giovanni averted his gaze before it became obvious, readying himself now that his weapon had been secured and prepped. He overheard Vitaly instructing his Weavile to stay behind and a thought occurred to him. He didn't like the idea of Miss LeClair following him into battle to watch the carnage for herself... and a single Weavile for their flank wasn't much of a defensive outpost. Testing his shoulder, he brought it up into a relaxed stance, glancing down at his ward a moment.

"Please stay here, Miss LeClair," Giovanni murmured down to her. "We need a defense. Your pokemon can further aid to keep our flanks clear, and if we have to use our guns, I assure you we'll have much more company than this. Gunfire tends to attract attention."

Almost immediately after that, Looker cried out, "Now!" and they rushed out. Giovanni ducked down, keeping out of the main line of sight while Looker drew the attention. Let the man get rushed first. The man holding the stallion cursed, tying it off to go and charge Looker, leaving the animal all on its own.

Immediately, Giovanni tucked the gun away, keeping it from sight as he approached. Thank God he'd nicked a com. Fitting it into his ear, he made his way into the stallion's line of sight, quietly talking it down in smooth, soothing nonsense. Clicks of the tongue, short words of comfort, he drew closer to the frightened Mudsdale. The stallion himself wasn't sure at all about Giovanni, his eyes wide and his ears either pinned back or wildly twitching about as the conflict roared around them. Giovanni slowly reached a hand out to the stallion, keeping steady and focused on the pokemon before him. The bastards had laid into this poor creature; his legs were open and weeping blood, his broad back the same. Whips? Likely.

"What monstrosities did they do to you?" Giovanni asked of the stallion, his hand still inching forward. Instead of going high, toward the top of the head, Giovanni went lower, where the stallion could see him. He chanced touching the horse's cheek, a light, fleeting contact, and the horse flinched in kind. But seeing as how Giovanni wasn't visibly armed, nor was he yelling or demanding anything, the stallion calmed a little, only lightly tossing his head now and then, accompanied by a nervous shuffling of hooves.

"There you are," he soothed as he kept his focus on the stallion, lightly and slowly petting the broad cheek and nose. "There you go... That's it. We're getting you out of here, yeah? Heal you up, get you away from these assholes. How does that sound?"

The stallion watched him a moment, nickering a little before his eyes narrowed. "...If you let me stomp their heads in," he began in a low voice, his words filtering in through the piece of tech in Giovanni's ear, "that sounds just fine."

Giovanni couldn't hide the smile growing on his face. Seemed he would get along with this stallion fairly well.

Miranda moved back deeper into the alley as she realized how little she was needed. Her Pokemon were doing their part as they had been instructed, the sounds of shouting followed by silence proved that enough, but she wasn't stupid. She had seen Mr. Don with his weapon, and the looks shared between Looker and Vitaly. Those people...that silence... They weren't coming back. She fully expected Durandal's blade to need sharpening later once it dulled on stone and human bone. A task she did not relish.

She would have to talk to Giovanni later. During their time together he never did anything violent that wasn't necessary, so she couldn't understand why he was so determined that her own people were beyond salvation to the point they needed to die. Hopefully by the end of this nightmare she would have some clarity.

Miranda, thankfully, was moving backwards into the alley as her father went in the opposite directon. Looker felt a pang of sympathy for the child yet again, but at least back there she wouldn't see the carnage. He left the alleyway and walked down the alleyway after softly instructing Vitaly to "Wait here with her a moment until I get her pokemon."

On the way to meet up with them, he passed near the Mudsdale and the man attempting to calm him, slowing to a stop as he watched Giovanni work his magic on the giant horse.

"What monstrosities did they do to you?" he spoke softly. With wide, curious eyes, Looker watched as Giovanni moved, ever so slowly, to pat the horse on the cheek. Though the great stallion flinched, he didn't move to attack. The shuffling seemed something more borne of anxiety. Given what he experienced that was hardly shocking.

"There you are," he murmured, daring to expand the attempted area for petting. The Mudsdale accepted the touches. "There you go... That's it. We're getting you out of here, yeah? Heal you up, get you away from these assholes. How does that sound?"

Looker went to slip into the alley, though he heard something about stomping heads in before he ducked into the alley. Well. He couldn't blame the poor horse.

Less than a couple minutes later he'd guided Miranda's pokemon back to her, speaking gently to the girl. "We'll need to pass by the place of battle on our way. I wouldn't look down, okay?"

Time all but slowed as the remaining people tried to react to the sudden attack. They didn't stand a chance. Vitaly didn't think as he carefully aimed and shot; the motions coming almost naturally. He noticed Giovanni slipping his way around them, but he didn't let his focus waver. It didn't take long before things fell almost earily quiet. Or at least it was quiet in comparison to the cacauphony of shots and yelling from a few seconds ago. Looker almost made him jump when he quietly ordered, "Wait here with her a moment until I get her pokemon." After the small flinch, Vitaly nodded and stood up properly. He didn't put his own gun away, however. Things could get dangerous again, and he wasn't going to get caught off guard.

Drizzt had remained on the other side of the alley, but he looked over his shoulder when the sounds of fighting faded. Ruby eyes quickly glanced over the conflicted girl and settled on his trainer. He could only see Vitaly from behind, but the tense stance gave him what little info he needed. For now, keep guarding. The Weavile was worried for his human; it had been a while since either of them had been forced to take someone's life. Not including undead. He'd have to see how Vitaly was handling this later, though. When they weren't in danger.

It both took forever, and no time at all before Looker came back. Vitaly let him pass, and he heard the detective say to Miranda, "We'll need to pass by the place of battle on our way. I wouldn't look down, okay?" When Drizzt heard the detective's words, he abandoned his post to meet up with the rest of them.

Vitaly numbly said, "We better get moving. That racket could have caught someone else's attention." Any emotions and thoughts could come later. They needed to get out of the open as soon as possible.

Without delay, Giovanni took a hi-potion from his bag and sprayed it over the stallion, the horse nickering in relief. It seemed that not only had he gained the aid of a stranger and his old police pal, but a new pokemon companion, one that even seemed to have the same sort of mindset Giovanni had. It was always much easier to have someone like-minded rather than dancing around like he had to do with Miss LeClair most times. In seconds, many of the superficial wounds that littered the poor creature were stitched back together, and the stallion thanked him with a short-lived nuzzle.

Or rather, nudge. Giovanni had mistaken the gesture as one of gratitude rather than trying to gain his attention, and so the man was surprised when it happened again, only a little more insistent. "You should know," the stallion growled, "they were trying to get me to kill something. Something outside the city walls."

How... odd. Odd enough that this was likely information that needed to be shared with the others. Giovanni looked to them, unsure if they had heard the horse, then turned back to him. "Do you know what?"

The stallion shook his large head from side to side. "Only that they said it was another horse. Fire horse, but.... not a Ponyta or Rapidash."

A pokemon? Giovanni frowned. Why didn't they just shoot it, then, if it was such a threat? Why waste manpower and risk using another pokemon altogether to fight it? He motioned the stallion to follow, then led him back to the others. Vitaly numbly said, "We better get moving. That racket could have caught someone else's attention." Giovanni couldn't agree more, but the knowledge of the horse on the outside was unnerving.

"Our new friend has informed me that the reason these cowards were torturing him was that they wanted him to face another horse outside the city gates," Giovanni murmured to them. "A fire horse, but not a Rapidash or Ponyta. We may need to augment our escape plan if this creature isn't something they think they can kill with guns."

Miranda waited until the sounds of men shouting had quieted back down into the eerie silence the city now naturally held. Her heart clenched at the knowledge of what had been done but it seemed that she had forgotten her place yet again. Elders made the decisions, and not only had her own guardian deemed it necessary but so had everyone else. She was obviously wrong for speaking up the way she did but it didn't ease the guilt in her chest that her own people had to die to spare their own lives.

As Looker returned the first thing Miranda saw was Durandal, blood staining his sash as it swayed in the non-existant wind that always surrounded him. Her face fell a bit but quickly her beloved Klefki rushed into her chest, unfurling his arms and wrapping them around her neck in a makeshift hug. Esmé always knew how to make her feel better. "We'll need to pass by the place of battle on our way. I wouldn't look down, okay?" Miranda looked to the older gentleman and nodded slowly, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Yes sir..."

She followed obediently and allowed Durandal to float before her to shield her gaze from anything but putting one foot in front of the other. The only reason she even knew she was still following Looker was his heels and the brush of his trenchcoat beneath Durandal's shield once in a while. She didn't like death, or even people getting hurt for that matter, but she wasn't some child they had to shy from the world. She just wanted to be heard... That was all.

"Yes sir..." She did not look happy, and of course she wasn't, but he still felt his insides squirm a little with guilt.

"We better get moving. That racket could have caught someone else's attention." A glance at the boy made the feeling worse. So, while he had been more fortified than she to deal with the violence, that face and voice suggested he was rocked by it, too. He made a mental note to keep an eye on both children.

As he led them Giovannoi's way, the conversation he was having with the stallion made him halt.

"-to get me to kill something," the horse growled. Looker frankly could not imagine why anyone in their right mind would want to anger this creature. Nothing about him spoke of anything but strength and full capability to kick someone's head off if displeased. And was he saying that they tried to get him to kill something? "Something outside the city walls."

Well. Now that certainly answered a question or two, if his assumption was correct. It made absolute sense for them to want to use a creature they saw as immensely strong against something they frightened them even more. If their weapons wouldn't do much to whatever they were scared of...

Well. That was a curious (and scary) thought.

Giovanni looked to them and Looker only shook his head, but tilted it to the side; he knew nothing but oh, was he eager to learn more. "Do you know what?"

The stallion shook his head in reply. "Only that they said it was another horse. Fire horse, but.... not a Ponyta or Rapidash."

"Our new friend has informed me that the reason these cowards were torturing him was that they wanted him to face another horse outside the city gates," Giovanni told them, Looker grateful that Giovanni confirmed the missing bits of that conversation for them. "A fire horse, but not a Rapidash or Ponyta. We may need to augment our escape plan if this creature isn't something they think they can kill with guns."

"I agree," Looker said with a nod and a frown, trying to puzzle out what it could be. There was no use in the exersice, though, and he knew it. He knew too little of pokemon to even guess, and so gave up on it quickly. "I'm not sure I want to risk angering something they bothered tangling with your species to deal with, Mr. Stallion."

This horse was eight feet tall and solid muscle. What in the world was more dangerous than this? Something already maddened beyond reason? Something even bigger?

Things were mostly quiet as the group moved. Vitaly glanced towards where he thought he heard a voice but he couldn't tell what was being said. It didn't take long for him to figure out that it was the Pokemon that they were rescuing. He was mostly staying on guard for the moment. When they got closer to the pair, Giovanni muttered, "Our new friend has informed me that the reason these cowards were torturing him was that they wanted him to face another horse outside the city gates." That got both Vitaly and Drizzt's attentions. Even they couldn't help but snap their gazes towards Giovanni as he continued, "A fire horse, but not a Rapidash or Ponyta. We may need to augment our escape plan if this creature isn't something they think they can kill with guns."

What else could be a fire horse? Vitaly tried to search through every fire type he knew of, and thanks to Father Jude, he knew a lot of them. Everything he knew pointed towards one of the Rapidash line. He remembered a vague mention that Rapidash had a rare evolution with wings, and that there were tales of another evolution... But he couldn't remember. It had been so long ago. Either way. Could Siyal have somehow evolved? The Rapidash was a powerful Pokemon. Drizzt met his eyes, and he could tell the Weavile had the same question. Hope and fear were starting to burn through the numbness of a few seconds ago.

They were snapped out of their musings when Looker spoke up, "I agree. I'm not sure I want to risk angering something they bothered tangling with your species to deal with, Mr. Stallion."

Oh no, Of course they wouldn't want to look! Vitaly almost kicked himself with the oversight. He had made a commitment to this group. But he couldn't let this lead go. He needed to know if this was Siyal.

"... I'll go look," Vitaly volunteered. He tried to temper his expression so that he didn't seem overly eager. "If it's... something bad, it would be better to know about it now rather than later." He wasn't completely lying about the matter; even if he didn't have the vague hope that this could be one of Jude's Pokemon, he'd rather know exactly what his oh so lovely neighbors were terrified of. Especially if it was something he needed to avoid himself.

Looker was the first to speak. "I agree. I'm not sure I want to risk angering something they bothered tangling with your species to deal with, Mr. Stallion." Sound points, especially since not everyone was working at full capacity.

There was a shift in the young man next him, a shift both mysterious and infinitely intriguing. Giovanni was careful not to watch Vitaly too closely, but it was obvious that his description of the Stallion's recount had jarred him somehow. An excitement bubbled beneath that carefully maintained facade, and for some reason, the possibility of some sort of fire horse brought it about. An old lost teammate, perhaps? It was the most likely of scenarios, but then again, if that were the case, wouldn't Dear Detective Looker be privy to that information? Or did young Vitaly not trust the good detective with that much?

Either way, Giovanni was definitely curious to see where this brightly colored thread would lead... or if tugged, would it unravel.

"... I'll go look," Vitaly quickly volunteered, "If it's... something bad, it would be better to know about it now rather than later."

Eager to offer a gentle nudge in the right direction, Giovanni nodded. "Reconnaissance on whatever creature that has spooked the locals would be a likely life-saving asset," he mused aloud. "Knowing what sort of pokemon it is, and whether or not it's infected, would aid us greatly. I'm not terribly acquainted with many fire pokemon, but I can still offer what knowledge I can."