Lopunny and Zoroark flew from the forest in springs and bounds, and few Pokemon bothered to pursue them further; the forest was the territory in which the pair were at fault. Not knowing this (and with nowhere to go), our lovers continued to flee, passing meadows, passing farms, passing into a desert, halting only when they reached a road. They exchanged uneasy glances.

"Should we?"

"We don't have a choice, do we? There is bound to be food and water, at least. We might find a kind Trainer or -"

"No," said Zoroark forcefully.

"Why not?"

"Never, never trust a human."

Lopunny took a deep breath. "What other option do we have? There is no space for us in a different Pokemon habitat. I can't hide with my new coat, and neither of us can run forever."

"That doesn't change the fact that humans are dangerous and treacherous..."

"I'm sorry, honey. I know you're scared. I don't know what humans are capable of, but... say, babe, you know what? They're not Pokemon."

"What do you mean by that?"

"We just stared Satan's ultimate form in the face and whooped his ass. Humans don't even stand a chance against a wild Zigzagoon. You can cast powerful illusions, too... You are actually the most equipped to protect us, and protect them." Lopunny put her paws on the egg.

Zoroark was still and quiet, listening.

"Honey... What are you willing to do? What do you ultimately think you are capable of?"

"And we'll always have each other, right, darling?"

"Right. You'll always have me."

"Me too."

Eyes glistening, Lopunny and Zoroark embraced each other and felt safe. Lopunny felt waves of relief fall from her body. Zoroark only released nervous tension.

Holding each others' paws, they took a step onto the concrete and slowly made their way towards Castelia City.

Cowering in the bushes there, Lopunny surveyed the scene. As expected, nothing interesting was happening - Trainers passing by, Trainers entering town, and sometimes, their Pokemon following them. This, Lopunny decided, would be their saving grace.

"Zoroark, can you become a Riolu for a moment?"

"Sure." She nodded, set down the egg, and transformed into a Riolu. "What do you need me to do?"

"There's a Riolu by that trainer there who's using the vending machine. My evolutionary line is sensitive to the natures of humans, and... I think that Trainer might be able to help us. If you could lure his Riolu back here, we could speak to his pokemon first..."

"...Then have his trusted pokemon introduce us to him? Good idea. I'll be back, I got this." With only as much confidence as would seem in-character, Zoroark trotted off, barking quietly at the trainers' Riolu. Lopunny kept the twinge of resentment to herself at the sight of her mate's transformation.

Zoroark barked gently at the tame Riolu, to which he responded quickly, and as Zoroark excitedly beckoned him to the bushes, he followed, though not without a reluctant glance back to his trainer. Lopunny leapt behind Riolu, ready for him to flee. The Riolu yelped in shock as Zoroark abandoned the Illusion.

"Little one, I'm sorry," she started.

"We won't hurt you," Lopunny added;

"We just need to ask you some questions..."

By now, Riolu was in a fighting stance, hardly affected by the knowledge that he would be safe. "What do you want? I'm a Fighting-type, you know, I could demolish both of you."

"What's your name?"

"My name is Manialius Ponckwell. I may look small, but I'm trained to the maximum of my potential. My trainer let me do that when I asked." Manialus relaxed slightly. "Listen, my trainer said to be nice to you wild Pokemon, but if you lay a single paw on me I'm going to send you both to the Distortion World."

"It's okay, Manialus. It's nice to meet you. Would you be willing to listen to our story?"

"We need your help."

"...Um, I should be getting back to my Trainer, but alright.

"Is your Trainer kind?"

"Yep! He lets us Pokemon have whatever we need and most of the things we want, too. His only requirement is that you go with him on his journey. He's our Otōsan. So what's your deal?"

"Well..." Lopunny sighed deeply and began. "Zoroark, dear, I'll take care of it-"

"No, I can take care of it, I know what you mean." Zoroark gave her wife a firm and knowing glance. Lopunny shrugged it off.

"The Pokemon in our forest exiled us after something terrible happened. We weren't responsible, but before we knew what had happened, the forest Pokemon found us at the site of the misdeed. Of course, they blamed us and wouldn't listen to reason... and now we have no home. On top of that, we have something important to protect," Zoroark continued; Lopunny braced herself. She didn't want Zoroark to admit to the presence of an egg!

"We have this."

In her claws, Zoroark held what appeared to be a Pokeball.

"We've been asked to protect this, but... all the forest Pokemon are going after it."

Lopunny shuddered in relief. This made the most sense - Manialus would understand its importance without questioning what Pokemon was supposed to be inside.

"Well, that's really wrong of those Pokemon to blame you although you're innocent! Is it far away? I'll kick their butt."

"We'd rather not go back there regardless of what you would do to them. We can't risk losing this Pokeball." Lopunny drew the world 'pokeball' slowly, learning to live the lie. "Manialus... Do you think-"

"You can call me Mania, I know you're friendly now."

"Mania, do you think your Trainer would be willing to help us?"

Without skipping a beat, Mania replied "Absolutely. Follow me."

Zoroark and Lopunny quietly followed Mania, who, instead of walking, was using variations on Quick Attack and Force Palm to move forward. "Yo, Aaron!"

Aaron turned around quickly. "There you are, Mania. Don't wander off..." Having gotten Aaron's attention, Mania quickly began to make a hand symbol.

"Oh, you want to talk to me? Alright." Aaron reached to the belt of Pokeballs on his chest, selected one, and tossed it gently in the air. "Alright, Velvet, we could use your help again."

A Musharna hovered gently in the air. "No problem... what is it?"

Lopunny and Zoroark looked at each other quickly. This Pokemon could speak human language.

"Velvet, Mania wants to say something, would you mind..?"

"Not at all. Go ahead, Mania."

Mania began speaking eagerly, which, with almost no delay, Velvet translated. "Aaron, I found these Pokemon in the bushes and they're being hunted for something they didn't do. Also, they have something to protect that's very valuable to them... Aaron, would you mind bringing them along for a while until they're safe again? My sense of justice would hurt a lot if we had to leave them behind."

Aaron looked at the young couple. "Wow, I see."

"You know," he continued with a smile, "I had a funny feeling I'd be making some new friends today. I don't know where you came from, but you're welcome to come with us."

"Thank you," said the couple in unison. Velvet translated.

"No problem," Aaron replied happily. "I was just headed for the next route, come right along. For that matter, I might as well release everybody, it's a nice day."

Aaron released his remaining four Pokemon.

First was a Zweilous, introduced as Vollenth, who seemed very curious and vain about the strangers, coming towards them at will. Second was a Whimsicott named Genesis, who spoke quietly and moved very little, but seemed very alert and thoughtful. Third was an Archen named Dante, who flew about erratically, but seemed to be very happy; the last to be released was an Eevee named Twilight. She said nothing, and hid behind Aaron's ankles.

Aaron was an ordinary-looking trainer - black hair, green eyes, a simple grey jacket, jeans, and a belt of Poke Balls around his chest rather than his waist. He seemed as though, despite enjoying adventure, he was not overly eager for it, and instead took the time to take care of himself and his partners. Lopunny smiled, though observing at a glance that Zoroark remained tense. Only she, and no stranger, could have guessed that Zoroark was still untrusting and frightened.

"Say, Lopunny, do you have hair dye or is that really what you look like? I've never seen a Lopunny with a rainbow co- wait, I shouldn't ask, I'm sorry." Aaron stumbled over his words, and Zoroark tensed visibly. Lopunny waved as though to say "it's no matter" and leaned comfortingly on her wife.

They did not know it yet, but they had found a true ally.