Sand and Blood

Dian thought for a moment, then quickly contacted Pokémon Ranger Union headquarters.

A sighing woman with golden curls soon appeared on the screen. It was Rumi, and she did not look happy.

"Rumi, something doesn't add up."

He got straight to the point. "The Hippowdon herd isn't acting like it's searching for a lost Hippopotas. Besides..."

He aimed the screen at the Hippopotas eating a Pokéblock. "I've already captured a wild Hippopotas, and I haven't noticed anything unusual about it."

"The intelligence should be reliable."

Rumi's displeased expression vanished as she slipped into work mode. After a moment's thought, she said, "Dian, give me a second."

She pulled up a file and scanned it quickly. "It should be in here... Here it is."

"Dian, the report was submitted quite recently, the afternoon before last. The intelligence should be sound, but..."

Rumi checked the Hippowdon herd's route again. "There may indeed be something else going on."

"Rumi, what if it isn't simply a case of getting lost?"

Dian offered his theory. "What if the Hippopotas wandering off isn't the real problem, or it's only one part of what's happening?"

He continued working through it aloud. "What if the Hippowdon herd has some reason it must stay put, and that's why the Hippopotas got lost? What if it can't leave to search for the one that strayed?"

"Dian, you mean breeding season?"

As expected of a staff member, Rumi caught on at once. "But Hippowdon usually keep their Pokémon Eggs inside their bodies for protection. Under normal circumstances, that shouldn't disrupt the herd's life. Unless..."

Her expression turned grave. She had thought of the same possibility. "Dian, I'll contact the staff nearby and have them come support you."

"Good. That's for the best."

Dian nodded and ended the call.

Having a smart,