((Long post, with a bit near the end relevant to the other players. I'll be seeing you soon...))
AJ and Firestar approach the gates of Goldenrod, casting one final glance back at Route 34. The Day Care Center stood proudly, once a place for Trainers to leave their beloved Pokemon for some hands-on care. AJ had never gone herself, and had no love lost for the place. The elderly owners had managed to barricade themselves inside for a while. The two and the few Pokemon under their care had been safe from the zombies, until they let a pair of travelers in. It had been simple for AJ to infect them, a simple task to spike their water supply with the contaminant. It was only a matter of time before they too were turned.
AJ pushes these thoughts to the back of her mind. She had more important tasks to worry about. It was after noon, and the sun would be setting soon. "Y'know, I've been wonderin'. Why do the zombies hibernate durin' the day? They ain't vampires or nothin', sunlight don't hurt 'em, but they mostly come out at night." "Mostly." "Well, yeah, some do come out durin' the day, but that just proves my point. Why do they mainly stick to the night?" "Why do bats or Murkrows rest during the day? It's just their nature. And we have more important questions, AJ. We decided the Resistance would either be holed up in the Underground or the Radio Tower. Where should we start our search?"
AJ sighs, looking around the massive city. "First, we gotta get some more supplies. I think the Department Store is up that way. We'll get ourselves restocked, bed down fer the night, and worry about it in the mornin'." The two head toward the large mega-mart, finding the streets eerily vacant. Firestar keeps on the lookout, expecting an ambush or at least a sign of life, but nothing appears. The Dept. Store isn't much better.
The front door is smashed, broken glass littering the inside. Blood stains and corpses line the floor, a large number of zombie corpses in a heap in the foyer. Apparently, a major fight had occured, with someone or several someones putting up one hell of a fight. The two find four unturned human corpses among the zombies, along with seven various Pokemon. The power had been cut, making the elevator useless. The two take the stairs, Firestar's hooves making loud echoing clops in the empty stairwell. "Whatever tried ta get in here earlier," AJ's voice echoes back to her, and she starts speaking in a lower tone to prevent the echo. "They ain't here now. This place is a little too empty. Where is everyone? Or everything..."
The pair stop at every floor, checking for anything of value. Most of the floors are surprisingly clean, althugh they lack anything worth taking. When they arrive on the sporting goods section, they are greeted by a miniature version of the first floor. The zombie corpses her are spaced evenly, instead of piled at the entrance. They search the shelves, eventually finding a few boxes of ammunition. AJ finds a box of her caliber, refilling her speed loaders and placing the rest of the box in her ammo bag. "C'mon. Let's find a place ta rest for the night. Let's get outta this place and check one of the restaurants 'cross the street." Firestar holds up a hoof, silencing her. She points at a corner, her face set in determination. AJ follows her gaze, looking at the corner.
Surrounded by dead zombies, a lone figure is slumped over on the floor. A large Machoke, covered in scratch marks, with several bite marks on his arms. He stirs as he hears AJ's voice, shielding his eyes from the light of Firestar's mane. "Please... help me. I don't think... I can hold on much longer..." AJ looks at the Pokemon, thinking hard. If she left him, he'd become a zombie soon. Clearly he was a capable fighter, but she couldn't command zombies yet. If he turned, she'd have to fight and kill him. She looks to Firestar, seeking an answer. Firestar closes her eyes in despair, then nods. "We should take him out now, AJ. Before he loses control. I'll do it. Save your ammo." They approach the fallen Machoke, AJ hanging back. "Put yer head against the wall. It'll be a mite quicker that way." The Machoke sighs in relief, pressing his head firmly against the wall. "Thank you." "Don't thank me. Just be quiet." Firestar turns, lining up her back hooves with his head. AJ turns away, looking for more supplies. She heads over to a green crate, finding some energy drinks, trail mix, and candy bars inside. AJ hears a loud crack, followed immediately by a wet splattering sound and a low moan.
After a few seconds, she hears Firestar's hooves clopping against the floor. "If there's nothing else, we should go. Before he wakes up." AJ grabs the meager rations, stuffing them into a backpack. "These here got a long shelf life. They won't spoil soon. Let's find shelter 'fore the sun sets." She slings the backpack over her shoulder, the two heading out. As they reach the ground floor, they can hear sounds coming from below, in the basement warehouse. "That explains where they were all hiding! We must hurry!" The two flee, breaking into a nearby bike shop, locking themselves in the manager's office in the back just before sundown.
Not long after they've settled in, they can hear zombie noises coming from outside. "I guess that rules out the Underground. No Resistance is gonna set up shop in the heart of zombie nestin' ground. We'll head over to the Radio Tower tomorrow." Firestar nods, a blanket draped over her to block the light from her flames. She wished her master could control zombies. The endless killing was wearing her down, physically and emotionally. She cursed the Plague-spreader's plan, and the trickery it required. AJ didn't seem to mind, but she was always the tougher one. Firestar lays down her head, her confidence in her master a calming influence. AJ had less trouble falling asleep. She just put the day behind her and dozed off, excited for the next day.
