Hey everyone! Sorry this took longer than expected; school took over and made me do A LOT of homework and projects. But anyways, chapter 5 is up and I have others to update *sigh*. Enjoy!

Brooke's POV

"I'm sure that you guys know why I brought you all here," Heidi announced as she glanced at us one by one.

"Is it about getting the hell out?" Trina asked.

"Exactly."

"But we can't go outside with the risk of getting captured or worse," Lilly protested.

"She's right, we can't just leave and expect to get to the town safely," I added.

"True, but it's a bigger risk to stay here," Gregg told her.

"Can you pull out the map Peter?" Heidi asked.

He rummaged through his bag pulled out a big map. He neatly placed it on the table and all of us huddled around it.

"See we're here," Heidi announced as she pointed at the Pokemon Center in the map, "and we have two options, Nimbasa or Nacrene City."

"Skyarrow Bridge is gone," Vinny said, "and we need a boat to get there as well as rushing through Pinwheel forest and even if there are no boats and we decide to swim, it won't be good especially with Gregg being a fire type. Besides, we can't dash across town without getting noticed."

"Unless we hop from one shelter to another," Riley mumbled.

All of us stared at him as he studied the map closely.

"We don't have to run through the whole city at one time. If we travel from shelter to shelter, not only it'll reduce the chance of getting captured but also having a bigger chance to get a signal on our Xtransceivers to call for help. We should pick the Game Freak Building as our shelter since it's one of the few places still standing in the area and then we'll decide where to go next."

"With a huge group like ours?" Trina questioned. "We won't make it halfway without getting caught."

"Here's a little something to solve that problem," Gregg announced as he placed a box full of ultraballs on the table, "and we also have five masterballs to keep the Halflings in just in case anything happens."

"And just in case anything happens," Heidi announced as she pulled out a gun.

Everyone quickly reacted to the gun and backed away as their words mashed into one another.

"Put that thing away!"

"Don't shoot!"

"What the hell are you doing? Trying to kill us?"

"Umbreon!"

All of us stared at Riley oddly after he yipped. He slowly looked away as he scratched the back of his head.

"Don't worry," she assured, "its non lethal. One shot and they're asleep for a good two hours."

"Then it's settled, we'll begin our departure in ten minutes."

Alice's POV

"Do you really have to put me in the pokeball?" Cinders asked me as he had his heart melting sadden look.

"Yes Cinders," I gave a small smile as I petted his head.

"But I don't want to," he protested like the young child he is.

"I know you don't like being in a pokeball, but it's only for a short while."

"Still..."

"If we run into any trouble, I'll summon you. Promise."

"Alright," he groaned.

I pointed the ultraball at him, watching red light beaming his body and made him into tiny particles as the light was sucked back in the sphere. I carefully placed it in my bag as I watched Riley and Megan heading towards me.

"What are you doing Ali?" Megan asked me.

"I just convinced Cinders to go in the pokeball," I gave a small smile as I zipped the backpack.

"Ready to go?" Riley asked gently.

"Ready as I ever be bro," I smiled.

"That's my girl," he smiled as he petted my head.

"Hey, I'm not an Eevee," I laughed as I playfully pushed his hand away, "especially yours."

"Whatever you say sis," he said as he petted my head once more.

"Riley! Alice!"

We turned around and found Luna racing towards us.

"Are you two feeling okay? Do you need some water? Hungry? Maybe you should stay in the pokeball Riley."

"We're fine Luna," Riley assured, "Where's Magmus and Ty?"

"They're helping the others getting ready. Are you sure you two okay?"

"Positive," I said.

All of us met up in the lobby, our bags full of supplies, our hearts racing, and the only pokemon that are out are Riley's pokemon, Vinny's pokemon, Sparky (Lilly's Pikachu), and Fay (Megan's Furret). We stared at the glass doors, seeing nothing but the thick fog outside.

"We picked a bad time to get out," Trina muttered.

"I want everyone to stay close as possible," Gregg announced, "who knows what they'll try to do."

One by one, we slowly left our shelter into the barren city; completely vulnerable. I felt the cold gust whipping my face, causing me to shiver and wrap my arms to keep myself warm.

"How far is from here?" Hedi asked.

"About a mile down," Lilly replied after she peered at the map.

"Let's hurry," Vinny said softly. "The sooner we get there, the better."

We wandered around the seemingly tranquil city, unaware of what's out there.

Clack!

"What the hell was that?" Trina asked.

"Stay close to me Ali," Riley told me.

I scurried over and huddled next to him as I watched Luna staring off in the distance, Sparky's cheeks gave off sparks as he stood on Lilly's shoulder motionless, Blaze stood next to his partner and grew ready to fight any obstacle, Snivy glanced around with annoyance and loss of patience on his face, Magmus snorted as the flame on his tail grew bigger, Ty grew close to Riley and me to keep us safe, and Fay seemed to be the most quietest and in a very unusual posture. The sound grew silent and we all glanced at each other.

"Must've been a down power line or something," Gregg told us. "Let's go."

Gregg, Trina, Peter, and Heidi went in front of us as the rest stayed in the back.

"Did you guys just noticed something?" Riley asked.

"What is it?" Lilly wondered.

"Is it just me or do you guys feel very warm?" Brooke said as she began to unzip her sweater.

Riley and Lilly glanced at each other with their eyes wide.

"Oh shit," Riley murmured.

"Come back here guys!" Lilly yelled.

But it was too late. A long jet of hot flames stormed in the speed of light, separating us.

"Peter, Trina, try to extinguish the flames as we take down Shelby!"

"Come on guys," Riley told us. "We'll take another way around."

"You're not going anywhere!"

Lightning bolts were shot in front of us as their bluish violet light gave a flashing effect on the fog. I huddled even closer to my older brother and wrapped my arms around him as Megan reached for his hand, getting closer to him also. More bolts scattered throughout the fog as a figure headed towards us, holding what seems like ball lightning.

"Is that who I think it is?" Vinny asked.

"Zack," Lilly said softly.

"Nice to you two again. Damn Vinny, you've grown over the past few years."

He slowly glanced at me and gave a small smirk.

"Well hello Ali, my you changed from the last time I saw you. You're going to love where you're heading."

His unleashed a powerful attack, Thunder.

"Move! Move Move!" Riley yelled and grabbed me tightly.

All of us quickly scattered throughout the area as lightning bolts shot down, barely missing us. I slowly glanced around and found Luna on the ground, injured badly.

"Luna!" I screamed as I let go of Riley's hand.

"Alice no!" Riley yelled.

I dashed across the battlefield, dodging every attack thrown at me. I quickly went over and picked up Luna who was whimpering in pain.

"A-A-Alice?" she whimpered as as she glanced at me.

"Don't worry," I told her, "I got you."

"Oh little Eevee!"

I slowly up, finding a Flygon flying towards me. I stood there, frozen, staring at the sharp claws that are ready to take me away.

"Alice!"

She was a mere few feet away and I held Luna close as I awaited my fate. The Flygon was about to grab me when Riley shoved me out of the way, letting himself get captured.

"Riley!" I screamed as I watched my brother get taken away.

"Blaze, stay here and protect Alice," Vinny announced, "Magmus, you and I are taking the skies."

He quickly jumped on Magmus's back and they quickly took off in the air to get Riley back.

"Ali!" Lilly called as she ran towards me.

ZAP!

"Lilly!"

She collapsed on the floor unconscious, instantly transformed into a Espeon. I quickly glanced at everyone getting hit by lightning bolts and then at Zack, feeling fear taking over my body.

"Come here little Eevee," Zack smirked, "or you want your friends to be fried."

I heard Megan, Brooke and the other Pokemon scream in pain, wanting him to stop. Then, it happened. I glared at him, feeling an unusual sensation throughout my body, and began to growl at him as I placed Luna on the ground. My body began to quiver and my fingers curled.

CRACKLE!

My hands and feet shifted position and my nails grew into sharp claws.

"What the hell?"

I dashed after him, rage taking over my body. I slammed into him hard, Quick Attack. He skid a few feet away from me, surprised. Before he even thought to react, I flung sand into his eyes; Sand Attack.

"Argh!" he screamed in pain as he tried to clear off the sand, blind.

I dashed even faster and slammed against him harder than the last, Take Down. He rolled onto the floor, groaning in pain. He stared at me wide his eyes wide as I walked up to him, snarling.

"Don't make the wrong choice," he said.

I raised my hand, energy pumping through my veins, and lashed my claws at him...

Riley's POV

I slowly peered over at the empty streets, knowing it won't be long until the Flygon will find me. I slowly looked away and checked my shoulders, scratched from her talons.

"I need to get the hell out of here," I told myself. "I need to help the others."

I was about run off in the alley went a wonderful aroma trickled my nostrils.

Food.

"It's a trick," I told myself.

Food.

I tried to keep my Umbreon side from taking over.

FOOD!

I dashed out of the alley, following the mouthwatering scent. My eyes lit up when I saw the bowl of Pokemon chow and raced over. I went on all fours instinctively and began eating happily.

Food, yummy!

I quickly stopped and stared at the bowl in confusion.

What is a bowl of pokechow doing out here in the first place?

Suddenly, she attacked. Her claws pierced my skin and I quickly transformed into an Umbreon, crying in pain.

"You looked so adorable eating pokechow," she snickered.

I quickly hopped on my feet and tried to escape, only having to be knocked down from her move Dragon Tail.

"This will keep you from escaping."

She struck me hard on the side, making impossible to even move. I laid there, whimpering and watching helplessly as her claws were on their way to my body.

"Now you're ours."

A blast of water struck her in the chest, forcing her to get away from me. I moved my eyes around, couldn't see the figure that saved me. I grew alarmed as I felt them rubbing my fur, working their way to my head.

"Riley."

My ears pricked to the sound of his voice that sounded extremely familiar.

"Are you okay Riley?"

My heart raced as I felt him right next to me.

"Riley?"

He slowly picked my head up, giving me a chance to see his face. I gasped in shock, not knowing if it was a figment of my imagination or reality. My lips quivered as I whimpered once more and asked the name that meant so much to me.

"S-Sq-Squirtle?"

Hope you guys liked the last chapter. I'm open to any questions you have about anything from the characters to the story or just something random and it'll be posted on the next chapter. So stay tuned for the next chapter of Cringe!