The Uprising: Fighting the Pokémon Extermination

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(OOC: Zeph... the nurse brought some supplies along already... Plus Isabel still hadn't reacted... I'm just going to ignore your post for now and edit as necessary later because I'm not on my home computer and I can't save it -.-)

Isabel stumbled inside the gym, bracing her hand against the wall and fighting against a wave of fatigue. She gripped her shoulder, feeling that the cut had already clotted and was more likely than not the least of the Uprising's worries at the moment. PXS had just succeeded in breaching the walls of Frosty Gorge and here they were, hiding in the gym while the last place free from the law was taken.

Bam!

Isabel snapped to attention just in time to see Paul's Pokemon blast through the front doors, knocking them off their hinges.

"Fay!" Isabel shouted. "Get those door back in place, now!"

Fay obeyed, swiftly using a wave of telekinesis to pick up the doors and set them back in the doorway. With any luck at all, PXS be able to trace Paul's mad run back to the gym, not that there was much of a chance of having any luck at this point.

"Paul, you're an idiot," Isabel muttered, shaking her head. "But I'm going to miss you."

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm not hanging around here all day!" Greg said, climbing down the trapdoor from which the nurse entered.

"Good idea." Chris said. "We don't want the PXS to find us."

Isabel nodded and bit her lip, silently counting off the people in the gym with her.

"Wait," Isabel said. "Where're Charlie and Ashi?"

***

"Check all the houses for civilians! Shoot any of 'em that are unarmed, but if they have Pokemon try to bring them back here with no more damage than necessary!" The man barked, obviously used to being in charge and unfortunately having the opportunity to do so. "We've got the Uprising cornered now."

Trent shuddered, his black hair long since drenched by the relentless snow that constantly fell over this Godforsaken city after his helmet had been knocked off in a fight. His Pokemon were all returned to their balls, having been bashed around pretty bad by those worthless losers who called themselves Guardians. It was a small price to pay in order to finally establish a perminent base outside the reach of the Katsu region's oblivious government and get to starting their real work, and having the Uprising finally within their grasp was the greatest bonus imaginable.

"What are you loafing around here for, kid? Get with your search-party and get to work!" The man snarled, giving trent a shove and pointing to a group of PXS members that was swiftly scouring the houses for any sign of the Uprising, only to find nothing.

Trent scowled darkly but gave a quick nod and headed toward the group. A loud crash caused him to jump, watching as a kid raced by on a Rhyhorn. Trent aimed at the Pokemon's leg, intending to stop the creature in its tracks, but lowered his weapon. The doors of the city's gym quivered slightly, glowing faintly with an all-too familiar power.

"Isabel, Isabel. Still using Fay to fix all of your problems, hmm? You really haven't changed a bit." Trent said with a smirk, his sapphire eyes gleaming with excitement as he ran to catch up with the group.

(OOC: Under construction.)
 
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"I guess we better follow those guys. We're pretty much sitting ducks if a lunatic of ours breaks through again or the PXS do. Tock's over there. And we've already sprayed Burr's wounds, I have more in my bag if you think he needs it. So, are you coming?" Josh asked her. She raised an eyebrow at him, trying her best not to let him see her injuries. Did she look like she wanted to stay where Paul had placed a big bright sign pointing to them by smashing noisily and with abandon through the doors?

"Yeah, I'm coming," she said, carefully standing up so that as less weight as possible was placed on her injured leg and still be inconspicuous. Burr, though, noticed instantly that something was amiss. Sar's face was pale, sweat gathering on her forehead from the effort of appearing normal. He clicked his teeth in worry but Sar ignored him. Helpless to do anything about it, he went to the Raichu's side. The other Pokemon was still busy staring into space and dreaming about a name when Burr nudged him with his nose.

<We're going,> the Raticate announced.

<Huh?> The Raichu was still slightly dazed at having to come back into the world of the living.

<We're leaving. Through the trapdoor.> Burr's tail twitched, and he scampered down the trapdoor in an instant.

<Right, right,> the Raichu replied vaguely, following suit.

Sar watched them enter and sighed, walking almost steadily to the opening. Silently, she prayed that it wouldn't be too long a walk and that Josh would be an unobservant or at least distracted person. Without looking back, she steeled her nerves and started to climb down.
 
"Yeah, I'm coming," Sar got up slowly and followed her Raticate down the trapdoor. Josh's mouth curled into a smile as he pushed his glasses up his nose and patted Stone on the head, telling him to follow. Josh had a little difficulty getting down the trapdoor, having to get off his Lairon and climb down himself, wincing every time he stepped down on the ladder and fell two steps at the end, only for Stone (who had returned and released at the foot of the ladder) to catch him as he stumbled. Josh thanked Stone and climbed back on top of him and slowly trudged down the tunnel, Sar only a few steps ahead. Josh looked ahead and smiled again, blushing slightly. He felt good that he knew everyone was okay... Except Ashi. But Josh had known Ashi all of his life, and he knew that with her Pokémon she would be okay. Invisi chirped from behind, ensuring him that she too had faith in her trainer.

"Thanks Invisi," Josh whispered softly, looking back in front of him at Sar, watching her walk silently through the tunnel. ... She was limping? Josh squinted at her, it was hard to see in the darkness, but sure enough he could see her skin almost glow from behind, stumbling only slightly on one of her legs. Josh opened his mouth to let out some kind of worrying comment but closed it, thinking better. She was like Ashi, he could tell, and didn't like to let others feel her burdens. Josh shrugged at himself. Some girls can be a pain.

"So... Sar, um, heh," Josh pushed his glasses up his nose again. "What have I missed? I know I've been AWOL for a little, what happened?"
 
(under construction)

It was time. Everyone was getting ready to move, and the girl named Sar had already started down through the trapdoor. Ikiji sighed softly, then started the arduous climb to his feet. He was surprised by how stiff he felt. Once he was standing, he walked slowly over to the trapdoor, and peered down. Sar was just reaching the bottom.

"Guess it's my turn..."

He started down. About halfway down, a voice called out above,

<Hey! Wait for me!>

He felt an impact on his head, and Matsu used him as a makeshift plaform to hop the rest of the way down the ladder and to the bottom. Unfortunately, Kij himself wasn't expecteing the sudden shift of balance. His foot missed the next rung, and he felt the other rungs slip out of his grip.

"GAAGH!"

He landed with a soft thud, and quickly got up, ignoring the pain and trying desperately to save what little dignity he had left.

"I'm fine!" He said through clenched teeth. Matsu was laughing at him.

<Y-You really ought to be more careful.>

"Hilarious. Let's keep moving."

He walked in silence, too absorbed in thought to pay attention to the echoes of conversation coming from ahead and behind. His thoughts turned to a novel, one he'd read frequently, and an old favorite. In it, a group of unusual children eluded a cruel overseer and a band of wandering slavers to find their real parents. In his favorite scene, the final of the novel, the children and their Pokemon fled from the burning orphanage as the slavers burn through, being forced to choose between themselves and their friends still left in the orphanage. Ultimately, they stay behind, and though initially trapped by the flames, they stumble upon a secret passage, and begin the long trek out, through the ancient underground maze and to freedom. Almost subconsciously, he started to quote the scene:

"The flames grew higher, bearing against the youth, threatening to strangle the air from their lungs. They had remained, they had saved many lives, but had it all been for naught? As the heat grew to a scorching crescendo, Titus finally found it; an old candle, out of place amongst the new, stark metal lamps. He lifted the candle gently, and felt a thin wire. He gave a sharp yank, and the wire snapped. With a groan, the door opened, revealing a shadowy passage beyond. The young children gazed into the passage, wondering, would this tunnel deliver them from the fire to an even darker fate? There was no way to tell. 'Hurry!' cried Tom. 'It's our only choice. Go!' Covering their faces against the smoke, they dashed out into the dank tunnel, faced with the prospect of freedom...or something more sinister. Where the tunnel would lead, thought Tom, only Arceus would know. But they would have to have faith. Standing in the tunnel, he looked back breifly at the flames, as though staring into the abyss itself. He reutned his gaze forward, and saw the darkness ahead. Whether the darkness held freedom or death, there was only one way to know."

He looked around, and saw the grim procession in the tunnel. Sar, the boy, and the others. In a dark tone, he uttered the novel's final sentence:

"And thus, the exodus began."
 
"So... Sar, um, heh, what have I missed? I know I've been AWOL for a little, what happened?" Josh asked, fiddling with his glasses. Sar shrugged, clenching a fist in front of her from pain and so that Josh wouldn't notice exactly how wounded she was.

"People dead, people injured, PXS invading; same old thing," she told him distantly. What else was he expecting?

She thought she heard some muttering from Ikiji, but decided to ignore it. After all, she wasn't at her most mentally stable at the moment, trying to force her mind not to wander. She could make it. Collapsing was not an option. If she was going to go down, she was going down fighting. Any other way, and it would be like giving in to authority. Unthinkable.

Bur shook himself in an effort to get some of the blood and snow off. All he managed to do was douse the Raichu in some foul-smelling stuff as well. He was just spreading the good cheer today, wasn't he?

<So fill me in; what did you do while I was away?> he asked the Raichu.

<I blew trucks up. That drained me; I almost ran out of electricity. You?> he replied.

<Fought with everybody who came near. Can you believe that the kid actually landed behind enemy lines? Exhausting,> Burr sighed dramatically. <Well, what happened with you, Tock?>

Tock turned around, blinking slowly at them. She was still perched on the shoulder of the first guy who'd made it down the trapdoor. <It was a good day. I'm sleepy,> was all she said for an answer. Burr, having witnessed Tock's attitude for years, took it in stride. Raichu gaped.

<"A good day?"> he asked incredulously. <There was a war on! Fights! People got hurt! Didn't you notice that?>

Tock ignored him, nonchalantly turning her back on the Pokemon. Burr tried to calm the steaming Raichu down, with little success. Tock wasn't very good with new people or Pokemon. Quite a few people didn't like her. She was used to it. In that, she and Sar shared the same experience; most people shunned them for being who they were.
 
"Oh..." Josh said, thinking of his sister again and swallowing a lump. Where was she, when was she going to get here? Josh glanced over at Invisi and although they were in the dark, Josh could tell Invisi was thinking almost the same thing.

"Has anyone from the Uprising got hurt real bad?" Josh forced another lump down his throat. "Or died?"

<Oi, you, Raichu,> Stone turned his head over to the electric mouse. <Just shut up. We're already in a tight situation, there's no need to lose your head. Just shut up.> Stone turned his head back over to Invisi, who was shuddering only slightly. The least what they wanted now was a group of Pokémon who were panicing when the fight wasn't even half over.
 
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"Grandfather..." Charlie whispered in the still air held by such tension.

"Charlie?" the large man whispered back and then he dawned a malicious grimace that left Charlie shaken. "I still have that present you gave me", the man continued pointing to a large bump on his bald head. "I'll ask you again, give me you pokemon and return home with us. If you refuse then I don't know what the uppers would do to you. Maybe if you were lucky my wife might sentence you to something lighter" said the main with a cold sort of chuckle. Charlie could not speak a word or move, he could only stand there holding the frying pan in front of him trembling.

"All those people... all those pokemon... that's...", Charlie muttered from his spot gripping the pan tighter. He lifted his head and begin charging towards his own grandfather. He jumped. Then he screamed while bringing down the pan towards his grandfather's skull. At that moment as he fell he finished his sentence, "YOU ARE UNFORGIVEABLE!".

Clunk. Charlie had been thrown to the side of the wall. Charlie's grandfather despite his age was a man of great undiminished strength. The sixty-three year old man easily had grabbed the edge of the pan and swung his roly-poly grandson away.

"How valiant, eh? What did you think you were? A superhero? You are nothing. I am sixty-three, you are fourteen. I have forty-nine more years of experience. You can't win, give up", his grandfather's cold voice echoed as Charlie struggled to get up.

Charlie stood on all fours panting. "I DON'T CARE!" he shouted and then came at his grandfather again at the side, but his grandfather just parried it with his arms. Charlie was tossed aside again. As he braced his impact Charlie took something from his pocket and with both a round circular object and his frying pan in hand charged again. Once more his grandfather parried the blow, but as Charlie was swung back he released the ball from his hand.

Piloswine charged his grandfather. Success. Charlie's grandfather slid backwards grimacing slightly and while digging his feet into the cold snowy earth threw his own pokeball. The Ursaring trampled the charging Piloswine.

Charlie slid past the Ursaring, but the Ursaring held his shirt. Charlie struggled to get free. Charlie's grandfather slowly approached him.

"Pathetic", the man whispered to himself and then he procceeded to punch Charlie three times in the face when Charlie flew out of Ursaring's paws and onto the ground. Charlie's face was covered in blood.

OOC: Here's my post o.o Hope it isn't too bad >.< It's been a while :/ Will continue working on this post tommorrow... hopefully T.T
 
Chris trudged behind the rest of them, still cradling Dile in his arms. The Totodile's breathing seemed to get more fast paced by the second. <Come on. Hang in there> Chris pleaded silently as they continued on. Dile had always been stubborn and bold, but it had never put him in trouble like this. Chris tripped on something on the ground, sending him stumbling a few feet forwards, but managed to stay up. He was glad the tunnel was dark, because if it wasn't, it would've been quite embarrassing.

Chris let out a deep sigh, bringing his gaze back up. They had just been through a war, most of his Pokemon were injured, and they were currently fleeing and he was worried about looking like a klutz. He made a mental note to slap himself when they got out of this.

Chris' mind was brought back when someone, (he couldn't tell who) started mumbling to himself. From the tone, it sounded like a quote or verse in a book or something. His Pikachu walked beside him though the darkness, looking un-phased about its trainer's mumbling.

<Good thing I saw it, or else I probably would've tripped over it too> Chris rolled his eyes as the thought passed through his mind, only to be replaced by another. Most of the others had some sort of Pokemon that could fight walking beside him, while Dile, his Pokemon, was in no condition to even stand. Call him paranoid, but if they were somehow attacked, he'd have nothing to protect him, the group, or his Pokemon.

He shifted Dile into one arm then reached down to his belt with his other, pulling off Sakura's Pokeball. She had been hurt a bit in the fight against the bounty hunter, but she had taken a long break and was by far the best choice.

Chris opened the ball, releasing the Pikachu in a flash which briefly illuminated the tunnel. "Whoops. Sorry." He raised his hand up apologetically, he thought there would be a flash, but not that bright.

"Pika Pika!"

Chris looked down to see Sakura staring back, looking immensely glad to see him. "Glad to see you're OK." Chris smiled as he kneel down and let the Pokemon onto his shoulder with his free hand before. Once she was on, he stood back up and shifted Dile back so he could hold him better. As he continued back into the darkness, Sakura began to push closer to the side of his head, her warm fur brushing against the side of his face. He lowed his head, and began to silently pray as they continued on.

(OOC: Haven't posted in a while.. So... yeah... :D
 
"Whoops. Sorry," Josh heard someone in front say as the bright light from the PokéBall dimmed down. Josh blinked a few times as he caught the person's face and what he was holding, which looked like a blue lump. A Pokémon? Josh rattled his brain to see if he could remember this person's name, but he couldn't even remember being introduced.

"S'cuse me a sec," Josh and Stone brushed past Sar and trotted a few steps ahead to the boy with the lump.

"Um, hey, you," Josh tappes the boy on the shoulder and pulled out the largest potion he had. He hesitated for a moment as he counted what was left. Two, four, six, ten Hyper Potions, a few more Super Potions and a few more Potions, plus six or so Revives. He shook his head hastily at his own selfishness and thrust the potion into his arm folded around the lump. "Take this."

Josh nodded and told Stone to go back to Sar before the boy could react, to avoid the awkward embarrasing moment.

"Sorry, I think he just needed one," he laughed nervously at Sar, now beside her. He could see her limp now and bit his lip, snapping his head back to looking ahead when he looked to long. He gasped as his shoulder slightly rubbed against the wall and remembered the PXS attack only that short while ago and the Scyther and Nidoking and Rhydon that had attacked them. He bit his lip at the thought of what would have happened if they lost, and Josh couldn't even remember where else he was hurt, nor did he want to know.

"... I think... We're screwed," he muttered softly.
 
The cut on the side of Chris' cheek seemed to sting more with every passing second. Surprisingly, It hurt more then even the other scrapes and gashes on his body, when in fact, it probably was the most shallow of them all. Maybe it was because it was fine, like a paper cut, or maybe it was because everytime he opened his mouth, blood would trickle down and fill his mouth with the sickening taste.

"Um, hey, you," Someone tapped Chris on the shoulder. He quickly turned around, fearful of who or what might be behind him. Sakura's cheeks began to spark as she felt the distress and fear of her trainer. Luckily, the sparks briefly revealed the boys face, and almost instantly, Chris realized it was the same kid that was on the wall earlier. Suddenly, he thrust a potion into his arms folded around the Dile. "Take this."

The kid nodded and told his Pokemon to to go back to Sar before he could say a word. The boys then quickly scurried away next to Sar.

"Thanks..." Chris said, hopefully loud enough so the boy could hear hear him, as he opened the potion and sprayed it onto Dile. For a moment nothing seemed to happen, and Chris wondered if it had worked, or if the boy had maybe given him the wrong item. however, all of his doubts faded away when Dile's breathing began to slow down to a normal rate. Slowly the Pokemon opened his eyes. "Glad you're feeling better." Chris smiled, relieved that his Pokemon was alright. Almost immediately after he had said the words, Dile again closed his eyes. Although the potion had helped, he was still in no condition to fight, which meant that Chris only had Sakura to protect all of them. His thoughts shifted to the pistol fastened to his belt and hoped they would get out of here soon, so he wouldn't have to use it again.
 
Greg continued to follow the Nurse through the passage - which seemed to go on forever. He glanced back and saw that a number of people were following them, all tired and straggling. Most of them had pokemon beside them, and Greg still had that Hoothoot on his shoulder. He looked at it, and it looked back, hooting cheerily.

After rummaging through his supplies, he came across Blade's pokeball and, seeing as he wasn't as tired as Krow or King, quietly released him.

"Gro?" Blade looked at Greg inquisitively,
"Just incase, y'know?" he replied.

For some reason, the pain was starting to get to Greg now. His side slowly began aching pretty bad where he had been struck with the metal bar, and his back wasn't much good either. He noticed the side of his face was bleeding now, and one of his knees really hurt. He slowly began to limp.

Greg looked ahead, and he thought he saw light. After moving a little closer, he could see another staircase, with a dim light above it. He turned to the others, "Guys," he said quietly, but loud enough for them to hear, "I think we're near the end."

Let's just hope the PXS hadn't found it first...

(OOC: I've not posted for a while I guess :P Hopefully somebody can make something of this)
 
Yassan stepped out into the sunlight. Chaos was everywhere. Bodies littered the ground, along with tanks, helicopters, and transport vehicles. The wall had been breached, and there were few signs of anyone outside the walls. A helicopter roared overhead. He felt at peace somehow. He dimly reached down and grabbed Sneasel's trilby and began walking off into the distance.
 
(OOC: this is the first of a two part post it was meant to be one post but when I decided to change it I got this far and decided I had done enough for one night.)

Sue and Paul crouched down behind a wall, about four feet high, as the PXS rounded the corner. Sue took her three Pokeballs from here belt and released the Pokemon inside them, her Pokemon appeared, she held a single finger to he lips warning them to be quiet. Footsteps bit in to the soft snow as the PXS approached their hiding place. If they stayed still the PXS could pass them by but they were coming towards their hiding place and their chance to run was slowly fading.

"I think I saw something!" Said a man who was standing quite near to them, Paul could here his foot steps on the snow moving towards them, why hadn't he gone down the tunnel with the others.

"When I start shooting run." Sue whispered to Paul and before he could protest she stood up and shot the man near them. Blood rained down on Paul as he started to get up and run towards a nearby door. He opened it and dived inside out of the hail of bullets that erupted from the PXS in response to their dead team mate. Behind the wall Sue was now stuck and Paul was helpless to do anything to help her. Zeal her Sneasel jumped out from behind the wall and dived at the nearest gun man, stabbing him in the chest with both claws, bullets flew at the Sneasel, from the other PXS but it used the dying man as a shield. Sue's Jynx blasted ice at the PXS giving Sue a chance to dash for the door that Paul had just vanished into, she was followed by her Castform and Zeal.


"Return!" Sue shouted, her Jynx disappeared in a red glow safely out of the way of another volley of bullets and with a two legged kick she closed the door. As quickly as she could Sue pushed her self to her feet and bolted the door shut.


"You just killed someone." Paul whispered as he sat on the bottom step of a staircase, Sue shuffled nearer so she could crouched next to him.


"Yes I did and unless you want to end up meeting him I suggest you get up." Sue said to Paul rather callously. He looked up just in time to see a look of guilt on her face, it lasted only a moment. Then a hammering sound hit the door as the PXS tried to get in, Zeal stood alert ready to attack any man that crossed the threshold. Instinctively Sue turned and shot four bullets at the door, it being only made of wood they easily smashed through it and hit the PXS member on the other side. The sound of shattering glass came from a room to the left of Paul.


"Quick, upstairs, they must be trying to get through the window." Ordered Sue, turning as quickly as he could Paul half ran, half crawled up stairs.


At the top of the stairs was a small landing that made a place where Sue and Paul could hide. Above their heads was a hatch that lead into the attic of the house, Zeal jumped far higher than Paul expected for a Pokemon that was only four feet tall and stuck his left claw into the wooden frame round the hatch. A quick punch from his right claw smashed the hatch open so he could climb inside.. Everything inside the house was oddly quiet apart from the pounding on the door and the sound of glass breaking under foot, next to Paul, Sue was reloading her hand gun. Then the PXS broke in five men immediately started running up stairs while the rest fanned out down stairs, Zeal was the first to react, hanging upside down out of the hatch he shot a shard of ice at the first man, impaling him in the stomach. Sue was next to move she peered round the corner firing right down the middle of the stairwell with her right hand and grabbing the dead mans machine gun with her left.
 
Sar was breathing heavily from her struggle to walk and not be too obvious about the pain. It was stupid, she knew, but she would hold onto her pride for as long as she could and keep, well, Josh from worrying about her. He was probably the only one who would care, anyhow, since everybody else was pretty beaten up themselves and exhausted from the traumatizing events of the day. Besides, she was still quite a stranger among them.

"Has anyone from the Uprising got hurt real bad? Or died?" Josh asked after a momentary pause. Sar was thinking about her answer when something flashed brightly up ahead, drawing their attention to it. She saw something that looked like an injured Pokemon and assumed that it was the reason that Josh and Stone suddenly excused himself and brushed past her. As he was occupied up front, Sar closed her eyes and leaned against the wall for a moment, taking a deep breath and trying to gather enough strength to make it through.

She pulled herself upright and kept walking just in time as Josh and his Pokemon rushed back to her side. He laughed nervously, as though he was embarrassed. "Sorry, I think he just needed one," he explained. Sar shrugged, not looking at him and therefore not noticing the worried look he gave her leg. What he had done was nice and seemed to be part of his overall character. She knew that tough times caused most people to become self-righteous, selfish and nasty people, so his attitude was refreshing.

It was getting harder and harder to keep walking steadily and not sound or act strained. Her fingers were cold, but she knew that if she lifted them to touch her forehead they would feel scorchingly hot in no time.

"...I think... we're screwed," Josh murmured softly from beside her. Sar turned and looked at him searchingly before sighing. She'd known that since the very beginning, but to hear him say it made the situation seem all the more desolate.

"Yeah, I know," she said, equally muted. "But we've gotta keep trying, right? We have to, because any other alternative is... unthinkable." Possibly, without her raging fever and exhaustion eating away at her inhibitions, she would've just stopped with the 'yeah'. They had to keep fighting. What else could they do?

"Guys, I think we're near the end," somebody's voice called out from the front, interrupting her thoughts. She sagged slightly in relief at these words. Her throbbing leg and pretense of being okay was starting to flounder as her will had ebbed away during the walk. They were almost there. Where? It didn't matter, as long as she could rest for a little while. Although, surrounded by these idiots, it would probably be a brief respite, she was still looking forward to it immensely.

*

<Oi, you, Raichu. Just shut up. We're already in a tight situation, there's no need to lose your head. Just shut up.> Stone said.

Raichu gaped in shock. He'd... well, he'd expected this kind of treatment from the PXS troopers, but had thought the Uprising had cared. It was worse to be caught off guard by Pokemon you'd thought were your friends than by people you constantly received that kind of treatment from.

<But that Hoothoot...> he protested feebly. He felt slighted, somehow, by Tock's comment.

<Don't mind her, Raichu, she's always like that. We need to focus here,> Burr told him sternly.

<But...>

<Look, you wanna get in Sar's good graces? You don't sit around whining and acting as if you haven't got any faults of your own. Just... empathize a little, would you?> he said wearily. Like everybody else, his wounds and the war was making him more irritable than he generally was. Everything, no matter how small, grated on his raw nerves.

<Empathize?> Raichu asked, confused. Burr ignored him, not bothered to explain any further. Finally sensing the tension around him, he quieted down, much to the Raticate's relief.

<Oh look, pretty light up ahead. I think we're almost out; thank goodness,> Tock announced, glad to be getting out of the claustrophobic tunnel soon. As a bird, she didn't deal well with being in small, enclosed spaces for a long time.

<Where are we getting out?> Raichu asked Burr.

<I don't know. We have to wait and see, don't we?> he replied grimly.
 
"Yeah, I know, but we've gotta keep trying, right? We have to, because any other alternative is... unthinkable." Sar said quietly. Josh slowly looked to his side, smiling a little at her. He felt a little warmth coming from her for her optimism. His eyes glanced down again, trying to inspect her leg for whatever was making her limp, but turned his eyes back to the front. It was scary and relieving at the same time, being in this tunnel. He felt safe from the harm and cosy in what little space was in this tunnel. If he lived here, Josh would considor this some kind of secret hideout where no one could ever find you. But, there was this eerie feeling of overall doom emitting from everyone else, as if the top was going to burst open at any moment, releasing a numerous amount of strong Pokémon and ruthless PXS members, slaughtering them all. Optimism! Josh though impatiently to himself. We're going to get through this!

"Guys, I think we're near the end," someone's voice came from ahead. The end? Thank god, hopefully not surfacing to some PXS ambush that would reveal some kind of horrible and terr- Shut up, you stupid idiot. Josh groaned a little to himself, considoring smacking some sense into his brain. Now is not the time for worst case scenarios! Just... Think positive! Positive. Yeah, they'd end up in an ambush and get captured, and then they'd die.

"Sure, hope is all we've got right now," Josh said back to Sar, this time literally smacking himself in the head. Stone glanced up and gave Josh a "what-the-heck-are-you-doing" look. Josh breathed heavily, added a fake laugh and waved his hand ahead, motioning Stone to go out of the end of the tunnel.
 
Death. Suffering. Pain.

That's all he'd encountered since he'd arrived. Why? What did it mean? What was it all for?

The thought that had overshadowed his thoughts for the last several hours finally hit him like a ton of bricks.

They were going to lose. He had no choice but to face this undeniable fact. They could run, they could strike, they could wear away at PXS, but ultimatel,y it would come back to this; running away with their tails between their legs.

"Why?" Kij said out loud. "Why am I here? Why are any of you here? Your homes? Your friends? Your families? Why fight?"

<Excuse me?> Matsu said, looking up at her trainer curiously.

"All that you'll get form fighting is the death of people you care about....why not just run? Stay away? Always stay ahead of PXS....never let them catch you...or there'll only be more fighting and dying..."

<It's not that simple. Don't you remember? This is their home. The people they care about are here. They can run, but if that's all they do, how will anything ever change?>

"...so there is no other option? All we can do is face death?"

<...that's a pretty morbid way of looking at things, but...yes. We may not have a home anymore, but...they do. And to them....it's worth fighting for. And if they don't fight, who will?>

"So, there is no option besides death? That's the only way to change things?"

<Yes.>

His eyes were closed, his voice low. "Death....? Why...? They'd rather...lose their lives in order to change things? Even if things may never change? It makes sense, but...death is the only solution..."

She was getting tired of all this talk about death. <Yes, we've established that. It's a hard pill to swallow, that these people would rather lose their lives on a slim hope to save everyone. It's illogical in the extreme...but it also makes more sense than anything I've ever heard.>

"I know..." his voice was somber as he tangled with these thoughts. That they would be martyrs. That HE could become a martyr.

She'd had enough. His attitude was starting to depress her. She wandered off down the tunnel; after a time, she recognized the girl from earlier. Near to her, the Raichu was conversing with a few other Pokemon. She caught up to them, and spoke to the Raichu. <Long time no see. How are things with your new trainer?>
 
(OOC: You guys are going to hate me for this -.-' But don't attack mah Dugtrio >:O)

Isabel followed close beside the nurse, who was nervously leading the Uprising down the tunnels beneath the city itself. Where did it lead? Where did it all end after they fled?

Had PXS just won the war?

Her thoughts eventually drifted back to her lost and missing teammates. Nothing bad could have happened to Ashleigh; she was too strong and could take care of herself. But Isabel couldn't help but worry, struggling to remember the last time she had caught a glimpse of her in the battle, wondering when exactly she had gotten separated from the group.

And then there was David and the rest of the captured Uprising. What would become of them when PXS discovered that they had left? Kill them, most likely, unless they weren't even alive right now.

"Where are we headed?" Isabel asked the nurse.

"We're stopping at the Pokemon Center to pick up some more healing supplies," the nurse said, her voice shuddering slightly.

"And where do we go after that?" Isabel asked.

"Down south. The furthest tunnel leads several miles past Crystal City, which should be out of the reach of PXS."

"Out of their reach? That's where one of their main bases is!" Isabel gasped. The nurse winced and quickened her pace.

"Not to insult your intelligence, but I think you're missing the point, Miss Evans," the nurse said. "Crystal City isn't their base, because their new base is Frosty Gorge."

Isabel worked her jaw and balled her fists. Of course PXS wouldn't be able to just go back to their old way of working behind the law, not after they had destroyed a city. It was only a matter of time before the government would learn of their operations, so they decided to take over the one place that couldn't be touched.

Isabel was about to ask the nurse how long the journey would take when she abruptly stopped.

"Do you feel that?" Isabel asked, feeling the ground vibrate faintly beneath her feet.

"I don't-" the nurse's eyes widened. "Oh no."

The shudders grew increasingly strong and the sound of stone scraping against stone filled the air.

"Get back!" Isabel shouted, jumping out of the reach of the crack emerging in the stone floor.

She took Umi's PokeBall out of her sleeve and narrowed her eyes. The shudders ceased and they were enveloped in an eery silence. A small shuffling sound came out of the center of the crack and the dirt was pushed out of the way, revealing a small brown mole-like creature staring up at them curiously. Isabel almost let out a laugh and exchanged Umi's PokeBall for Lum's. A little scare should be enough to get rid of the Diglett so they could be on their way. Lum emerged in a red beam, growling at the small brown critter and brandishing the blade on his head. The Pokemon let out a little squeal and retreated back into the hole. But as soon as the Diglett disappeared from sight, a new wave of tremors began, considerably stronger than before. The crack in the ground grew rapidly, crawling up the walls and racing toward the group. Lum snarled and Isabel covered her head to deflect the falling dirt and stones and stepping backwards. A Dugtrio emerged from the crack, staring down at the group. Lum leapt up and rammed his leaf into the Dugtrio, which, although visibly damaged by the attack, remained in place. Another quake began and more cracks in the earth appeared behind and in front of the Dugtrio, some more beginning in the path behind them as well.

"These are Dugtrio tunnels?!" Isabel screamed at the nurse, who was completely white and frozen with fear.

"Yes," the nurse said. "But we thought that they had all left long ago."

"Well, apparently they're back now!" Isabel turned around and faced the group. "We have to get out of here!"

She grabbed the stunned nurse by the shoulder, propelling her back down the path. She jumped over the cracks as Lum bashed the Pokemon emerging from the ground, hopefully keeping them at bay long enough for the remainder of the group to escape as well. They were being forced back toward the gym by the Pokemon, but what awaited them there?
 
"We have to get out of here!" Josh heard Isabel cry after a large tremour. Josh, slightly confused, pushed his glasses to his nose and looked ahead to see a sea of Diglett and Dugtrio heading towards them. Isabel was closing in on them, clutching and almost dragging a nurse by the collar. Stone let out a yell before Josh kicked him in the ribs.

"No, no Stone! There's too many of them, we have to turn back!" Josh looked at Sar who had too noticed the Dugtrio. Josh gave a wince. He knew Sar had been trying to hide her leg but he also knew she would chuck a fit it Josh proclaimed it to the Heavens and asked her nicely to hop aboard so they could get out of here before they were taken out. He decided to go with a faster way, although he knew he'd pay for it later.

"Stone, turn around, now! Let's go!" Josh yelled out. Just before Stone spun himself around, Josh grabbed Sar by the arm and the force of Stone's 180 spin sent her flying up and with the guiding of Josh's arm, with minimal damage onto Stone's back behind Josh. "Go! C'mon everybody, let's go!"

Stone dashed forward and luckily, they were towards the back of the group and had no need to shove everyone out of the way. The tunnel headed back towards the gym, from where they were trying to go as far away as possible from. What possibly could await them next?
 
There was a sudden tremour below them as they were approaching the exit. Greg looked straight down and moved his feet just in time, as a Dugtrio came up right below him. Soon a number of Dugtrio and Diglett appeared, and looked agressive.

"Aah!" gasped Greg, "These are the Frosty Gorge Dugtrio! I didn't know they were still living here!" With that he turned and began to run like the rest - or at leat he tried to run. It was more of a hobble, but any sort of speed was essential in this situation. He noticed Isabel's pokemon trying to fight of the pokemon, so he called to Blade, "Blade, help stall them too with Leaf Blade and Bullet seed."

Blade, who was also running, halted and turned, before brandishing one of his 'blades' and slamming it into the oncoming Dugtrios. He continued to slice and fire bullet seeds at them.

Greg looked ahead and continued to move. The nearly reached the exit too, now they were going back to that damn place they had fought desperately to keep...

(OOC: Ohmygawsh some action! :D)
 
Chris stared at the dimly lit ceiling of the cave as they walked, cradling Dile in his arms and Sakura resting on his shoulder. They needed to get out of here. The PXS could be right behind them and they wouldn't even notice until it was too late. Not only that, but everyone was exhausted, and even he was on the verge of collapsing. He couldn't even remember the last time he had gotten a decent nights sleep, without his dreams filled of worry and despair.

Suddenly, the ground seemed to shift out of where Chris was walking, causing him to stumble, although he was able to stay on his feet. As he regained his balance, he looked from face to face, wondering if it was a side effect of his fatigue, or if they had felt it too. His question was answered when a faint sound of scraping echoes throughout the cave. The eerie noise grew louder and louder as Chris stood there.

A crack opened in the ground behind him, and Chris instinctively turned around to face the new threat. All of a sudden, Diglett and Dugtrio alike began to pour out of the hole in the floor towards the group. Chris grinded his teeth. None of his Pokemon except for Sakura and possibly Ivy (Although she had been beaten up fairly badly by a Golem from earlier) were in any shape to fight, and since they were ground Pokemon, Sakura stood little chance.

"God! Can't we get a break!?" He growled as another tremor opened another crack in the floor, causing him to jump back. As he came to a stop, other members of the Uprising passed by him, running further down the tunnel to escape. He immediately turned and followed suit.

(OOC: Hey looK! I posteded through all the fatigue and the fact that I can't feel my arms! (Stupid soccer-core-work training -.-') :D)
 
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