[IC] The Darkness Falls - Elorwin & Flamelord

[Flamelord]

The world had fallen into darkness. It happened without anyone noticing, the rise of organized criminal elements in the shadows, Team Rocket, led by renowned Gym Leader Giovanni, stealing Pokemon and establishing their control of the underworld. By the time the world realized the danger, it was too late. They struck with a fury, without mercy, overthrowing the regional governments, eliminating all who were a threat to their plans. And by the end of the week, Kanto belonged to Team Rocket.

Things had only gone downhill from there, a reign of terror stretching across the land as they got revenge on all who had wronged him, 'redistributed' the wealth in their favor, took what they wanted, set themselves up as the new rulers. Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, they fought, but were overwhelmed by sheer numbers, if not the strength of the Pokemon that Team Rocket had to draw on. Some said they were dead, others said they had fled to other regions, to rally the forces of those places, and return at the head of a mighty liberating force. And some said they were hiding, waiting for everything to blow over and Team Rocket to collapse under its own incompetence and corruption.

Alex didn't know what to think personally. And honestly, he didn't have much time for that sort of thing. He was more focused on survival, no easy task when one lived in the mountains north of Pewter City, where it was difficult for Team Rocket to reach due to the terrain, and while one could utilize flying types, it wasn't the most helpful. Those who survived had gotten very good at hiding from such patrols.

At the moment though, he was making a journey into Pewter City, nerves firing and alert as he entered the once proud location, now rampant with organized crime and fallen into somewhat disrepair from the fighting that had taken place and hadn't been rebuilt. He was here to get supplies, food, no easy feat, but he had to try. He wore a hate, sunglasses, and kept his Pokeballs out of sight so as to not draw attention to himself as he walked about, looking to find what he had come here for.

[Elorwin]

Yuki ran, as hard as she could while keeping her footfalls soft, she hugged to the walls and the shadows to keep from being detected. She wore her long midnight blue cloak tight around her shoulders, the hood concealing her bright blonde hair. In front of her stalked an extremely large orange and black striped puppy, his nose was quivering as he checked out the scene and behind her padded a delicate Vulpix, its large brown sweeping around. A low growl escaped the Growlithe as he peered around the corner for her, Yuki glanced around to see the source of his aggravation, two team rocket members stood talking at the end of the alley.

Wrapping her cloak more tightly about herself Yuki bolted past, her Pokémon running with her and they were gone before anyone could notice them. Everything had changed when team rocket had taken over and Yuki had to snort in derision at how quickly their whole world had crumbled. It had just taken a few simple pushes on the weakest parts of their society and it had all fallen down around them. They had lost so many, nearly everyone who had tried to stand in their way had been cast aside with ruthless force, this wasn’t just the police and the gym leaders but innocent bystanders, men, women even children had been blasted from their path. The Pokémon under their rule had turned savage. Pokémon had always had the ability to do damage to both property and people but most Pokémon had never done so, their only reasons to lash out were normally parental or at the instruction of a bad trainer, but now under team rocket there was a vast army of aggressive Pokémon.

Now Yuki was one of the few left in the underground resistance and what a piteous bunch they made, no one knew where the elite four had gone or if they were even alive. Together their small group consisted of Lt. Surge, Sabrina, Koga, Chuck and Clair there was also a rumour around that Brock had been spotted in the city and they were currently trying to make contact with him. Yuki was one of their lieutenants, before the fall she had been Blaine’s second at his gym and she had been his student for many years now but since team rocket her own dreams of being a fire gym leader in her own right had dissolved.

They continued to run together until they came to the end of the alley, to their left was a small, run down food store and a boarded up apartment and across the street was her target, a building guarded by two armed rocket members. Glancing around the street Yuki could only see one other person on the street, a man with hat and sunglasses; he was trying his best to stay unseen all the while edging closer to the food stand. Yuki needed a distraction and unfortunately for that man it was wrong place wrong time.

“Pupstar … that man down the street, go give him a talking to. Stay out of sight and come straight back when anyone comes near you.” The Growlithe looked up at her with bright interest and his tongue slightly out then wagging his cream coloured tail he slunk away towards the man whose hands were now creeping towards the apples out the front. Suddenly an ear splitting barking resounded around the street and within seconds the Rocket members had looked over and towards the source of the noise and went running over towards the man. Within seconds Pupstar had slunk back to her in the shadows leaving the man with a pair of aggressive team Rocket members. Yuki felt guilty but she ran across the street and given their distraction she was able to disable to doors alarm and get the door open. Before she made her way properly inside the building she paused in the doorway, glancing back at the man Yuki turned her eyes on Vulpix.

“Firefox, give them a confuse ray, make them forget him.” For a second the little fox’s outline glowed blue and its eyes shone and the two men were momentarily surrounded by the same light. Then it was gone and with a dazed shake of their heads the men both began to turn around and back away. Yuki giggled and with a twirl of blue cloak she dashed into the building.

[Flamelord]

Alex walked along towards the food stand, one of the few he'd spotted thus far that had actual stuff in a shape fit for consumption, thank Arceus. He didn't to draw attention, but he also didn't want to look like he was going to rob the place, which was no easy feat, all things considered, but he thought for the moment that he was doing a good job, unaware as he was of the commotion down the street. He just had to get there, then he could buy his food, and move on to other important things.

Sadly, it was not meant to be. For at the same time that he went for the apples up front, an earsplitting bark echoed nearby, causing a wince as he started. A quick look showed him two Team Rocket members headed his way. And he chose to do the smart thing, and ran for it, a walk breaking into a jog and then a spring. He just had to hope he could outdistance them in the end. Otherwise he'd be in trouble.

And yet once more his day turned around, for whomever had attracted those guys to him now dealt with the problem themselves, and with a look back, he saw they had stopped following him. He pulled up, straightened his hat, and then went after the person who had done that. Specifically, the blue cloak he had seen for a few brief moments. He'd follow after as best he could, try to not take an attack to the face, and then at least get an apology. He had a feeling this might be a long day.