(A/N: Okay, it's time for one of those songs I have in the soundtrack but don't actually have playing in the background. The name of the song is "I Will Not Bow" by Breaking Benjamin. This is meant to be the main theme of the story. I've also just realized I've been spelling "Sunyshore" wrong, and I've now corrected myself.)

Chapter 5: A Long and Open Road

"So Peterson, how exactly are we going to pull this off?" Chris asked.

"Veilstone is already under attack," Peterson said. "We'll have to deploy our forces on the western side of the city. Once we take back all of Veilstone, we'll then discuss how to deal with Sunyshore."

"So, when do we leave?" Rick asked.

"Oh-six-hundred hours," Peterson said.

Present time...

Chris finally entered the building where the others were stationed. For this special mission, the four of them had been codenamed "Rat Pack 07." Once he got to the top floor of the small building, he rapped once on the door. It was answered quickly with a rap, which he answered quickly with two and so on. This was the code they had created in case of intruders.

The door then opened. "Well, it's about time you showed up," Dex said, giving him a high-five.

"Hey, I didn't see you take out any enemy outposts, did I?" Chris asked with a smile. "By the way Rick, that was you who took out that other building, wasn't it?"

"Guilty as charged," Rick said with a grin. "You know how I love blowing shit up."

"Hi Chris," Emily said, going up next to him. "I was worried about you out there, but I'm glad to see you're alright."

"Um yeah, thanks you too," Chris said.

"Ugh, why don't you two just get a room?" Dex said, getting a glare from Emily. "Anyway, Peterson contacted us shortly before you arrived. It appears we're going to be heading out pretty soon once we get the assault force all set up."

"Wait a minute, we're just gonna drive right into enemy territory?" Chris asked.

"Well..." Rick said. The sky then became alive with the sound of fighter jets flying past. "Actually, the Air Force is gonna pave the way for us a bit. Actually, we've decided to split up until we get to the city, just to be safe. Dex and Emily are gonna travel in one way, and you and I are gonna take another route. To be honest, it's probably best so that we don't all get taken out in one hit."

Dex then appeared to get a call. "Yes?" he then said. "Alright we're on our way. Everyone has made it so now we're gonna head out and make our strike."

They then headed back downstairs outside of the building where a large force of tanks, Humvees, and APCs. "Well, we certainly brought in the cavalry," Rick commented. "Okay Chris, we'll take this Humvee here. Dex and Emily, the choice is yours."

He and Chris then got into the Humvee, Rick in one of the passenger seats, and Chris on the gunner seat. Dex and Emily, meanwhile, got into the Humvee right next to them. "Alright Chris, you'll need to be careful out there," Pikette said through his Comm. "I'm detecting multiple contacts about three klicks out, meaning your trip to Sunyshore won't be an easy one."

(A/N: Okay, now it's time for a song. The song I have here is definitely one that fits the situation. The name of it is "Desperate Chase" from Metal Gear Solid 4.)

"Yeah, I'll make sure to keep that in mind," Chris said.

*"Alright, we're moving out!" a soldier then said. "Keep an eye on your six for any hostiles and your peripherals. Let's move out then!"

The vehicles started moving out, heading for one location. However, instead of grouping together, all of them split up to avoid fire. As soon as they got to the main road, there was then the sound of gunfire and as soon as Chris saw anyone he opened fire. One of the main objectives right now was to make sure the APCs and tanks made it to the city in one piece. Chris continued firing as bullets went crazy from all directions.

The tanks were able to provide some help as it shot artillery rounds as well as machine gun rounds into any enemy convoys. Things seemed pretty well under control until-

"SPYDER!" a soldier then yelled out. Chris then saw the machine ahead of them, almost ready to take fire. He knew machine gun rounds wouldn't be enough due to it's tough armor plating. If he didn't think of something quick, they were about to lose half of the assault force.

"Chris!" Rick then said, popping his head out the back window. He then took out an RPG. "Use this on it!"

"Got it!" Chris replied, taking the weapon. He then aimed carefully and fired the rocket. Due to his timing, the rocket managed to fire straight at the machine, hitting it and causing it to collapse with an explosion.

"Hoorah!" Rick then said. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"

Chris then got back onto the turret and continued attacking, taking out any stragglers. They were now about a mile from the city limits and were sure to meet heavy resistance. "All units, please be advised," he heard Command say through the radio. "You are all about to head deep into enemy lines, so do expect heavy resistance."

Chris then saw ahead of them what appeared to be a large gate, blocking their entry. "Hey, 1st Armored Division," he then said. "This is Sergeant Johnson. Looks like we have a large block in the road. Would you be willing to help us out?"

"Not a problem, Sarge," a voice then replied. The tanks in the front then opened fire, decimating the gate in seconds.

"Thanks guys," Chris then said. They then crossed into enemy limits and as such, were then bombarded with gunfire. However, they had the advantage due to their armored vehicles. Soon, they found a place to stop and the troops spilled out of the vehicles, now taking the fight to the enemy.

Chris then met up with the others. "Of course it would be you who would end up taking out that tank," Dex said.

"Luckily, we managed to get the Humvee with the RPG," Chris replied.

Then, each of their Comm.'s went off. "Rat Pack, this is Captain Peterson, do you read me?"

"Loud and clear, Captain," Chris said. "What's the situation?"

"I'm sure you four realize why you've been put together," Peterson said. "While everyone else is doing the fighting, you'll be the ones doing the nitty gritty. Your first order of business is to find and take down General Neville, one of the major officers of the opposing forces. Putting him out of commission would bring a big blow to OpFor forces. As of right now, he is stationed in one of the main outposts, which is the Sunyshore Market."

"You want him dead or alive?" Emily asked.

"Preferably, we'd like him alive to question, but if you yourselves can get some answers out of him, then it would save some trouble since bringing him back would be next to impossible to do," Peterson said. "However, if you feel it's best, then terminate him afterwards."

"Sunyshore Market is about a klick and a half from here," Rick said. "I'm guessing we'll have to do this on foot?"

"Yes," Peterson said. "Vehicles will just give away your position. Once you find Neville, I will give you your next position."

"Alright Captain, Rat Pack out," Chris said. "Rick, you know how to get to that market?"

"I know this city like the back of my hand," Rick said. "I grew up this city, you know."

"Okay, since we're going in quietly, we need to attach silencers to our weapons," Dex said.

Once doing so, they then headed out, following Rick into the city. They made sure to keep a secure line between all of them. "Hold on," Rick said quietly, stopping them. He then looked around the corner. "Bogeys, three of them. They're gonna be heading to the right route. We can either take them out once they come around or let them go. Your choice."

"I'll take one out," Dex said.

"I'll take another," Emily said.

"Guess I'll be leaving them to you guys," Chris said.

"Alright then," Rick said. "Wait till they come around the corner." After a minute or two, the three soldiers walked casually past them heading back east. "Okay, on three. One, two, three."

There were three short bursts of fire and the three soldiers went down at the same time. "Beautiful," Chris said. "Alright, let's keep moving then."

They then moved on, turning down through the next alleyway. "Okay, from what I can remember, the Sunyshore Market is actually a big building, making it an ideal place to set up an outpost," Rick said. "And knowing these guys, the entire place is gonna be surrounded, so we're gonna have to find an alternate route in."

"Got any ideas?" Dex asked.

"Not at the moment," Rick said. "But once we get there, I might be able to figure something out."

They were about to clear the alleyway and head out into one of the main streets before Emily then said, "Wait! Get down! Enemy patrol coming!" They then quickly got down, hiding in the darkness as a patrol came by: an APC accompanied by foot soldiers and a couple Pokemon to accompany them. They then moved on, as the ground shook from a nearby airstrike.

"Phew, that was a close call," Rick said. "Thanks Emily, we sure would've been good as dead there if you didn't hear them coming." Emily just beamed.

"The market can't be too far now," Chris said. "Must be down this street. Let's stay on the walkway, at least then we'll have some cover from the cars."

Keeping low, they then got onto the main street, staying on the sidewalk. The issue with Sunyshore City was that it relied directly on solar energy, which meant the enemy had all this energy at it's disposal. The quicker SIP can get them out of the city, the better.

They finally managed to reach the middle of the street, where the Sunyshore Market was. Like Rick said, it was a big building, and Chris wondered if the place was just for marketing. "Damn, just as I thought, it's surrounded," Rick said, taking a look at the building.

"We could try going through the back," Dex suggested.

"Even if we did, they'd still spot us before we reach Neville," Rick said. He then continued looking and noticed something. An idea then came to him. "Of course!" he said quietly. "The venting system. With that, we could easily find where Neville is hiding and should be able to get to him without blasting our way through."

Chris was starting to catch on. "I think I'm starting to understand what we should we do."

"Guess it's time we get "spruced up" for the occasion," Emily said.

Behind the one corner, four Pokemon suddenly appeared: a Poochyena, Growlith, Pikachu, and Eevee. "Okay, I think maybe we should do this one at a time," Dex said. "We each go towards the vent and crawl up it."

"Alright, Dex, you go first then," Chris said. "Then Rick, and then Emily. I'll bring up the rear." Dex nodded, and looking out for anyone coming by, he then headed towards the vent on the backside of the market. He jumped right onto the dumpster, which the vent was just above and started crawling into the rather small hole. Once it looked clear, Chris then looked to Rick. "Alright Rick, you're up next."

"Um, now that I think about it, you sure I can fit?" Rick asked. He was the size of a dog, as all Growlith were.

"It was your idea," Chris said. "Guess you'll have to try, won't you?"

Rick sighed. "This is going to be real embarrassing if I can't even come through with my own plans." He then went in the same direction as Dex, going up onto the dumpster. Luckily for him, the size of the vent was just big enough for his size.

"So, we're all alone here once again," Emily said seductively, going up to him.

Chris instantly found himself blushing. "Um, Emily? Is this really the time for this?"

"You know, I've never mentioned this, but your form really compliments you," Emily said with a smile. "Especially your eyes."

"Er, thanks. The same for you," Chris said. It was true. Now that he thought about it, was it possible for a Pikachu and Eevee to mate? Chris then shook the thoughts out of his head. "Listen, shouldn't we be moving?"

Emily then laughed. "I'm just kidding," she said. "Alright, I'm heading there now. Keep an eye out for me, and try not to stare, if you know what I mean." She then headed the same direction and Chris tried to keep his eyes elsewhere, but he couldn't help but take a peek at Emily's figure. Even as a Pokemon, she was still beautiful, and Chris couldn't keep his eyes off her. He couldn't believe it. Was he really falling for her? Was now even the appropriate time to be thinking of this?

He then heard giggling as reality set back in and he saw that Emily was giggling at him. Apparently, he had been staring at her the entire time. Chris then turned around in embarrassment as he started blushing again. Once Emily stopped laughing, she went through the vent just like the others.

Once it seemed clear, Chris then went up to the vent, but before he went up, he took a quick look around. "I just hope we know what we're getting ourselves into," he thought before climbing up into the somewhat cramped vent.

(A/N: Okay, you would have to be a complete idiot to not think Chris has the hots for Emily, but who can blame him? She's hot, hell I based her looks off of Tifa, who's just as pretty........ Oops, sorry drifted off there. Anyway, sorry I cut this off right here, but thought it was necessary. Don't worry though, you'll end up seeing the action in the beginning of next chapter, I promise. So in that case, hope you enjoyed the chapter and stay tuned for an action-packed chapter next time.)

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