2 months later, Johto Region, Outskirts of Mahogany Town

If someone were to ask Max what he thought about with this whole virus running around, the boy would have two different answers. At first he didn't really believe when he heard about this whole thing going on. Something that infects both humans and Pokemon? To him it sounded like something from a book or a movie. Even when he saw the infected on TV that day Lorelei announced about the virus, he still had his doubts. However a lot has changed since that day and he now? Well he believes it now

It was 2 months after the broadcast that slowly reports about infected started popping up in the Johto Region. Max had been just gotten to Olivine City to challenge Jasmine for a mineral badge, when he heard the report and that was when he suddenly realized, this was all really happening

He tried to tell himself that everything would work out in the end and that all would be fine. However as days passed, he soon began to realize that none of that was true. Kanto had fallen after all. The day the survivors were able to escape was also the day that Lance, Lorelei, Bruno and Agatha were never heard from again

Many believed that the four of them could have also escaped or at least were still alive somewhere, but as time went on, people slowly started to have their hopes diminished and some even decide to suicide themselves then become a victim to the infected

However Max didn't really truly believe all this until the day he met Ethan Gold and also the day he was going to leave Olivine City… the was the day he had his first encounter with the infected

Flashback

"2 more badges and I'll be entering the Silver Conference!" Max excitedly yelled out holding the badge in the air with a proud look on his face as he made his way towards the exist, not taking notice of how quiet and empty the Pokemon Center was

However once Max existed the Pokemon Center, he stared in horror at the scene before him. What was once a lovely city… was now a city in ciaos instead. Many trainers and non trainers alike were all running away in a panic from something… no Max realized; they were running away from the infected! The infected had reached Olivine City!

He slowly felt himself backing away as he saw a couple of trainers and Pokemon get bitten, smashed into buildings, heard the sound of breaking limbs and the screams that followed. However the worst of all… was seeing the transformation of a young boy his age become like one of the infected

Max saw as the boy slowly changed in appearance and stood back up in a zombie like state. He had a broken leg, a hole in chest from his Pokemon attacking him and was missing both an ear and an eye

The Hoenn native looked away from the scene as slowly more of the fallen humans and Pokemon came back to 'life'… he didn't know what to do and was close to panicking as well, not noticing a figure sneaking up behind him

Suddenly Max heard a scream as a flamethrower attack hit something behind him, making Max see an infected Espeon get smashed into a pillar as a result

Slowly Max turned back to where the fire type attack came from and saw an older teenager, probably entering his adult years. He had grey eyes and navy blue hair, a red hoodie with a collar, black shorts with red and white sneakers and a grey backpack. He also wore a yellow and black backwards cap, a blue pokegear on his left wrist and a Typhlosion at his side

"You shouldn't stand around like that kid. Those infected will not hesitate to bite or attack you" he said and looked back to the Espeon who had gotten back up and looked at the duo with sickly pitch black eyes

"We need to get out of here before the infected find no one else to gang up on" the older teen stated as his Pokemon launched a fire blast at the psychic type

Max looked around and saw that only a few people remained now. He looked up and saw a few people flying off with their flying types and now wished he had captured a flying type. As if reading his mind, the older teen turned to look at him

"Got any flying types?" he asked Max, but the younger boy shook his head sadly "Nope alright then… we'll just make our own path out of here" he said and nodded at the fire type

The Johto starter narrowed his eyes at the infected Pokemon and humans and launched out what looked like an Inferno attack towards the small group surrounding the two

"Let's go while we still have time!" the teen yelled and grabbed a hold of the Hoenn native as he returned his Pokemon back, not once looking back to see if they were being followed

After running a good while, the duo stopped as Max dropped to the ground and saw the older trainer released another Pokemon "Togekiss, I know you're tired and everything, but I need you to be my bird's eye view and let me know if any infected are in the area or near us" he said as the fairy type nodded in determination and flew off to scout the area

"Wait if you had a flying type like Togekiss, why didn't you use it back there to help us out?" Max asked curiously

"I never said I didn't have one, but whether or not you had one. However as for why I didn't use him, well it's mainly due to the fact that Togekiss here couldn't have flown us both out of Olivine City" he explained. As much as his Pokemon were strong, flying with two trainer on his back while also making sure that no one is following them is a tough job

The Hoenn native seemed to understand the reasoning as he nodded and then looked back at the older trainer "I umm didn't get to thank you for saving me back there… so thank you" Max said sincerely since if it wasn't for the older teen… he may have become an infected himself "Oh my name's Max Maple from Petalburg City"

The older teen gave the younger boy a smile "Nice to meet you Max, I'm Ethan Gold from New Bark Town"

"Ethan Gold? Wait! I know you! You're the Ethan Gold who beat Lance for the title of Champion, aren't you?" Max excitedly asked as he saw the Johto trainer look somewhat shocked he knew about that

After a moment of hesitation, when Ethan was about to respond, none other than Ethan's Togekiss returned with wide eyes and panicked look

Right away of if knowing what was about to happen, Ethan turned to Max "Not good, we got infected coming this way… meaning this place is no longer safe. You're gonna have to make a run for while you still can Max"

"But what about you?!" Max questioned, shocked that Ethan would think about staying

Ethan sighed and turned back to Max as he grabbed the young boy by the shoulders "Look Max, I know what you're thinking about… but one of us needs to stay here and make sure the other can escape"

"But-"

"Max, nothing you say is going to change my mind.

Although against it, Max did as the teen said and started running. He looked back once and saw Ethan release an Ampharos, his Typhlosion and an Umbreon. Fighting the urge to run back and fight, Max continued on running away

End of Flashback

Since that day, Max hadn't seen the Johto trainer and was scared that he may not have made it out or worst was now an infected himself… He now wished he didn't run away like Ethan had told him that day, he should have at least made a stand himself… but in the end, he knew he may have gotten in Ethan's way since none of his Pokemon were at the same power level as those infected, which Max noted had gotten a power boost

Max suddenly snapped out of his thoughts as he heard a rustling in the bush near him. The young boy jumped onto his feet and hid behind a nearby tree as the figure was revealed to be none other than Ethan himself "You're alive!" he said eagerly and in shock

The Johto trainer nodded silently as he took in the appearance of the boy he had helped out 2 weeks ago and saw that he was in the same condition as himself "What happened to you?"

The Hoenn native looked saddened all of a sudden as he remembered the last few days "Had a few run in's with the infected… lost two of my Pokemon in the process; Mightyena and Breloom… both sacrificed themselves for me"

Ethan looked at him in understanding as he slowly bent down to his level "I know it hurts kid… I also lost two of my Pokemon and a dear friend of mine too… However, I also know they wouldn't want us to be mopping around. So what do you say we get out of here?"

Max nodded after a while and started walking beside Ethan… however; he couldn't help but wonder if this is what Johto looks like… than how will the rest of the regions look like or the world should this continue anymore

Like I said a time jump was gonna be involved and now Johto is now suffering like Kanto was. Another thing as you can see is I decided to introduce Ethan into the story. So just to clarify some things, Ethan did beat Lance to become Champion of Johto, but left the title to Lance so he could continue traveling. The friend Ethan talks about is in fact Kris, due to me not knowing her so well enough to write her in. Last point, Ethan's team is based on some research I did and as such his team in this chapter is; Typhlosion, Togekiss, Ampharos, Umbreon, Donphan and Politoed, while the two Pokemon he 'lost' are Ampharos and Politoed. Next chapter is either finding out about the Kanto survivors or Ash and Gou. Till next time everyone ;)