[Spurred by Lusamine's agreement, the Slowking steps forward, oddly eager with anticipation for what kind of trick he might be shown this time around. Only.. whatever it may be, it isn't making itself apparent.

Looking back, then, he tilts his head at Emporio's question.]

Connected?

[It's not a bad theory at all. But,]

I'm not so sure about that. They both make the forest quite a fearsome place to be. Maybe they'd both prefer to keep adventurers like ourselves away from something, too. Even so, this could just be a Pokemon that thrives under these conditions. Blinded and disoriented travelers make for veery easy prey.

[So is its violent behaviour a result of being infected longer than most can survive? Or has some unknown factor allowed it to develop a resistance? There's just so much that he could ask, none of it easy to answer without facing that bear once more.

But as Guilmon announces of the discovery of a new scent, maybe that opportunity is getting closer!]

That might be it! Let's go see!

[Without any thought as to whether it's safe or if he'd only heard what he wanted, Akira continues on right away, with only the red glow of Shellder's now opened eyes to keep the group from becoming separated.]