The atmosphere of Mt. Moon was perfect; dark, cold, and in many places, claustrophobic. After the blistering sunlight he had just endured, Irvine would have settled for almost anything, but caves were the definition of luxury as far as he was concerned. Every area had clear paths of approach, the walls were often easy to climb, and there was no shortage of hiding places to choose from. It was like being indoors, only without artificial lighting or humans constantly disturbing him whenever they needed something from Jack - a significant improvement by any measure. The only thing missing was-<br/><br/>His ears twitched for a fraction of a second before he kicked off a wall, plucked a stirring Zubat from the ceiling, and threw it hard onto the rocky floor, crushing it under his feet as he landed.<br/><br/>...The only thing missing was a challenge, but that was to be expected. He had visited caves with his trainer before, and there was never anything dangerous near the surface level aside from swarms of individually weak PokÃ©mon. It was only when they traveled deeper that they managed to find territorial rock, ground, and even steel types on occasion, but no such encounter was likely where the professor was headed. The Clefairy that Jack was feigning interest in were likewise nowhere to be seen, leaving Irvine to wonder if they were valued more for their rarity than whatever other significance the humans attributed to them. That was just as well, considering how much he stood to lose for picking fights with the one thing he was there to protect, but he was expecting someone else to cause trouble long before he would have a chance. In fact, he was hoping for it.<br/><br/>"The main problem is these bootleggers who keep ditching people in the tunnels. Some of them make their way out on their own--others just get lost, start crying for help, and get themselves in real trouble." the professor explained as he led the group further into the mountain. "So. The short version is I'd like one of you rounding up anyone who managed to get in and escorting them back out and the rest of you guarding a few of the entrances into the upper regions where the ceremony proper will be taking place..."<br/><br/>That was interesting, if not entirely surprising. Some of the other trainers were so desperate for a way around the blockade that they were seeking ways into the cave system without any idea of where they were headed. Irvine couldn't see how any of his own group were less prone to getting lost than the people they were being asked to help, but it wasn't his problem; he would be far too busy putting on a show of civility for the scientists to concern himself with what any of the others were doing. Guard duty seemed almost preferable by comparison, but he didn't have much of a choice in the matter.<br/><br/>"...Jack, if you'd like to join us in the observation area you're welcome to. The timing on all this isn't exact, I'm afraid, so expect to be up most of the night, but if all goes as planned we'll escort you all out in the morning and you can find your lodging in Cerulean by lunch. Sound peachy?"<br/><br/>With nothing else to do, Irvine simply fell in line behind Jack and waited for some kind of affirmation, his lack of enthusiasm more apparent than ever.