A Stanger's Plea

The sun was shining towards the eastern hemisphere, barely showing above the trees as your group was walking down the pathway. You checked the map to made sure you were all on the right track.

Rachael noticed what you were doing and moved to you. “What do you have?” The Buneary asked looking at the map, then everyone stopped as they saw you in the map.

“Well despite some detours, we’re getting close. We should be able to make it to the village before nightfall.” You stated, folding the map up before putting it back in your bag.

“Well hopefully whatever it is there, it’s worth all the danger you’re putting yourself and your sister into.” Felix stated stoically.

"Hey, we didn't ask for your opinion." Neku stated starting at him with annoyance.

"Just stating the facts." The Grovyle responded back.

"Again, we didn't ask. And I thought you came here in order to repay us for the misunderstanding you had on us."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to point out how dumb it is that an adult is practically being led by a couple of 18 year olds, who's on a suicide mission to try and save the world with a little girl traveling with them." Felix stated. "Seriously, of all the craziest things, the last one? Not real smart."

"You cheeky little bastard!" Neku grumbled as the Zoroark clenched his paws before Vargus got in between them.

"Whoa whoa whoa, chill out! We should be fighting infected and predators, not each other." He stated, "Look, clearly some decisions are better than others, but we just have to deal with our choices now."

“Besides, we’re doing pretty well all things considering.” The Buneary added, taking a moment to rub the sleepiness out of her eyes.

“You two are still not used to the way we need to keep watch as others sleep.” Felix pointed out.

“We’ll get used to it. Let’s just keep going.” You stated putting your map up,

“Please, let’s not fight, okay?” The Pachirisu pleaded as she begrudgingly finishes the tea.

The Grovyle looked towards the Pachirisu and took a deep breath. “We weren’t fighting, just talking.”

“Yeah, Kate. We’re not fighting.” You stated, giving her a smile.

She smiled at you as you all resumed walking. You remember Rachael rubbing her eyes and went to see if she’s alright.

“Yeah, I’m just… so much is happened since leaving camp and it’s been having me on edge this morning.”

You then started thinking about what happened to the both of you and you couldn’t help but ask, “Do you… do you think we didn’t think this through enough?”

The Buneary looked at him in surprised, her hind paws lightly digging into the dirt to keep herself from stumbling.

“I-I know what I said before about saving our parents before they… you know. But now…” you look at your healed back, still showing some evidence of the bruising you had from the fall off the bridge. “We nearly lost our lives just before even one day passed. And we had to deal with Kate being sick. I-I don’t know, maybe I was just thinking crazy before thinking we can actually stop this.”

“Rai, sometimes I do think we’re in over our heads, and I realized bringing Kate along is adding more stress on both of us, but-” Rachael was about to finish before hearing something coming.

“Rai!” A voice spoke up and you saw your sister running to you. “Brother, you need to come with me right away.”

“W-What’s going on?” You asked a bit flustered.

“We met someone who’s asking for help.”

They moved towards where Kate was talking about. They look to see Neku, Vargus and Felix talking with another figure, covered in head to toe with rags.

“This is far too risky. This could be a trap for all we know.” The Grovyle stated.

"Maybe, but if she's telling us the truth, we can't just ignore it." The Croconaw stated to Felix.

"We already have our own problems. We can't help everyone we come across." Neku stated as you, Rachael and Kate joined up with the three of them.

"You three sure took your time. Can we get going now?" Felix asked you, though Vargus stepped in.

"We can't leave yet! This person needs our help!"

"I already told you, we can't believe what she says."

"What's going on?" You asked, walking towards the ragged figure.

"Please, you got to help me. There is this large, infected Pokémon that lives in the nearby mountains. It doesn't move around so much, but whenever it does, it would snatch any non-infected Pokémon that it spots that wonders around this area. I managed to escape but others may be trapped up there. This area is in constant danger of being attacked."

"Sorry lady, but as I told you, we have our own problems. We can't help you." Felix stated sorrowfully, but firmly. "Plus it's too dangerous."

"Even I have to agree with the Grovyle here." Neku stated, turning towards you. "We're so close to the village too, it's a waste of time to make a detour for someone."

"But we can't just leave them to their fates!" Rachael cried out.

"You're right about that." You pointed looking stern.

"Are you crazy?! You really want to risk your neck over some stranger's words?" Felix asked you.

"If we abandoned her and the others, we're no better than cowards and predators that hunt us." Vargus stated.

"Would you want to walk away if someone you care about is in trouble just because it's dangerous?" You asked Felix and Neku.

The Grovyle eyes twitched a bit at that while the Zoroark seemed more taken back by that question before composing himself. "Alright then."

"Are you serious? Even you agreed to it." Felix stated to him.

"We'll just have to be careful if it is a trap, but if it is true, we risk dealing with this. We might as well subdue it if possible."

Felix was quiet for a moment before looking at you. "Fine, let's go infected hunting then."

"So we're in agreement, then lets go." You stated, turning to the figure. "You should find a place to hide. Maybe the village up ahead."

"Will do and thank you all so much!" the figure stated before running back in the opposite direction. Seeing that she's heading back, you and the others turned to where the mountain was in view of them.

"Sheesh, you just had to play the hero at that moment, did you?" The Grovyle asked you. "You do know that it's going to be dangerous right?"

"You can call me naïve, but I'm not stupid. They may be stronger, but they're not invincible. Plus if we can make anywhere even a little bit safer, it'll help."

"At least you're honest about your naivete." he stated, "But your selflessness, and reliability is commendable. Though I will say this is crazy." Felix finished as you all moved towards the mountains.