"I saw them go this way," informed Devil. "But I don't know which path they took." He narrowed his eyes in frustration.
Devil had led us to some kind of mountain area. There were trees all over the place, but that was because we were still at the bottom. I'm pretty sure there'd be less life, plant or Pokemon, at the top.
"Can't you sniff them out or something? I mean, dog-like Pokemon are supposed to have good senses," I suggested.
He shook his head. "That's true, but they masked their scent well. I can't pick them out of the smell of rocks and earth."
I twitched my ears irritably. There must be some way to find them.
"Um...I'm Echo. Are you looking for a gang of bad Pokemon led by a shady Croagunk?" squeaked a shy voice. A tiny Zubat crouched in the shadows of one of the mountain trees.
"Yes, actually. Did you happen to see them?" replied Devil politely.
Echo nodded quickly. "They kidnapped my Mommy and said if I didn't pay up in a week, they'd hurt her!" he cried.
"That's sick!" I growled. "Devil, we have to save her. This is more serious than a simple robbery!"
"Alright," he muttered, keeping his always-cool composure. "We need you to tell us where they went, Echo."
"R-resonance Cave. They told me to go there when I had the money. B-b-but I don't have any! That means I can't pay you for saving her either!" Echo chirped with worry.
"It's okay, we don't need a reward for righting a wrong! You just wait here," I reassured him with a warm smile. Devil looked at me with a strange expression, and I'm not sure, but I think it was awe. "I'm pretty sure you know the way, so lead us there, Devil."
He nodded, sprinting up the mountain with me in dashing after. I could feel the hope radiating from little Echo.
So this is what being a Rescue Team is like...
***TIMESKIP***
There was a sign planted awkwardly beside a yawning hole that read "Resonance Cave".
"THANK ARCEUS! WE FINALLY MADE IT UP!" I howled. Devil chuckled, amused.
"It was just a short hike up," he laughed. "Anyway, this is one of the many Mystery Dungeons all over the world. Rescue Teams go in and out of places like this all the time. There are a lot of...territorial Pokemon. Get ready to fight."
"Wait, but how do I fight? What kind of Pokemon are there? Why do I have to fight them? Why do they fight us? Aren't they like us? I mean-"
"Hold up! Let me stop you right there!" yelled Devil. "Hmm...that's right, you used to be human. Well a Zorua's basic moves should be Pursuit, Scratch, and Leer. Battling should come naturally, but if you ever get tired because you're putting too much energy in attacks, just attack without using your moves."
"Now, about the Pokemon. Naturally, cave Pokemon will dwell in here. Whismur, Zubat, Geodude, Woobat, Roggenrola, and Nosepass will appear mostly. Resonance Cave is where most beginner Teams start."
"Like I said before, a lot of crazy things have been happening. Pokemon are becoming feral. Disasters are happening. Those who live in Dungeons are more exposed because they're in the wild and not in towns. So they become angered, believing that Pokemon who live in cities, towns, and stuff are ruining the natural balance. A long time ago, everyone lived in the wild, you know."
"But all that changed. Some of us realized that there were actually bad Pokemon out there, taking advantage of the weak. Rescue Teams were formed and town sprouted, turning into cities. Some Pokemon saw that this new way of life was easier, some thought it was a mistake.
"So a silent war broke out. The wild Pokemon refused to change and stayed in the patches of nature called Mystery Dungeons, and the civil Pokemon expanded their borders. That's why they attack us."
Devil let out a large yawn. "Okay, enough explaining, already. We better go before we lose them. Their base is probably at the end of this cave."
"Right. Sorry I don't know anything," I said quietly, half to myself.
"It's not your fault. You're here for a reason and we'll find out why," breathed Devil, plunging into the endless darkness.